The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department wishes children and parents a safe and Happy Halloween.  Police officers would like to recommend the following safety tips to parents and trick-or treaters to raise safety awareness.

Motorists are urged to be especially alert on Halloween.

•  Watch for children darting out from between parked cars

•  Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.

•  Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.

•  At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.

Before children start out on their "trick or treat" rounds, parents should:

•  Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for children under age 12.

•  Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names of older children's companions.

•  Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.

•  Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well lit and never to enter a stranger's home.

•  Establish a return time.

•  Tell your youngsters not to eat any treat until they return home.

•  Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.

•  Pin a slip of paper with the child's name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group.

•  Only fire-retardant materials should be used for costumes.

•  Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath.

•  Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard. (Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween.)

•  If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light colored materials. Strips of reflective tape should be used to make children visible.

•  Masks can obstruct a child's vision. Use facial make-up instead.

•  When buying special Halloween makeup, check for packages containing ingredients that are labeled "Made with U.S. Approved Color Additives," "Laboratory Tested," Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics," or "Non-Toxic." Follow manufacturer's instruction for application.

•  If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes.

•  Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.

•  Bags or sacks carried by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective tape if children are allowed out after dark.

•  Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly.

Children should understand and follow these rules:

•  Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision.

•  Walk, do not run, from house to house. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards.

•  Walk on sidewalks, not in the street.

•  Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.

To ensure a safe trick-or-treat outing, parents are urged to:

•  Give children an early meal before going out.

•  Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten.

•  Wash fruit and slice into small pieces.

•  When in doubt, throw it out.

Any questions concerning Halloween safety may be directed to the Public Affairs Office of the Texarkana Arkansas Police Dept. at 903-798-3187 or visit their website.

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