AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) urges parents, drivers and children to make safety a priority this Halloween by adhering to basic safety tips and using extra caution in areas where trick-or-treaters will be gathering.
“Because Halloween falls on a Saturday, there is the potential for more children and adults to be out celebrating this year, and DPS encourages all drivers to be extra cautious and watch for children along streets and in neighborhoods,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “Adults and parents also should keep safety tips in mind while trick-or-treating, and adults who plan to drink alcohol, should designate a sober driver or arrange alternate transportation.”
DPS offers the following tips to help ensure the safety of Texans on our roadways during Halloween:
- Don’t drink and drive. (Designate a sober driver or take a cab.)
- Eliminate distractions, including the usage of mobile devices.
- Slow down; and further reduce speeds in bad weather, construction areas and heavy traffic.
Parents may visit the Texas Public Sex Offender Registry – which includes a mapping function – to check for offenders who may be living in their neighborhood at https://publicsite.dps.texas.gov/SexOffenderRegistry/SearchPublicSite/Index.aspx. Individuals can also report suspicious or criminal activity to the iWATCH program at www.iwatchtx.org.
Texans can also stay safe by using these Halloween safety tips:
- Look both ways before crossing roadways, and always walk; don’t run.
- Cross the roadway at intersections and crosswalks.
- Travel in groups with adult supervision.
- Do not enter the cars or homes of strangers, and avoid homes without visible porch lights.
- Make sure children know their home phone number and how to call 911 or their local emergency number in case they have an emergency or become lost.
- Take all treats home for an adult to inspect before eating anything, and never eat unwrapped candy.
Individuals should also keep the following tips in mind when selecting a costume:
- Avoid toy guns and knives – they could be mistaken for a real weapon.
- Wear costumes that are light in color, or place reflective material on the costume, so drivers can see you.
- Consider using face paint instead of masks to allow for better visibility and peripheral vision.
- Carry a flashlight.
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