Halloween Safety

News Release from: Oregon State Police
BASIC SAFETY HALLOWEEN PRECAUTIONS AND TIPS FOR ADULTS AND KIDS
Posted: October 12th, 2009 2:11 PM
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The Oregon State Police - Missing Children Clearinghouse and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) understand parents and children have concerns when planning for Halloween activities. The below "Trick or Treating" safety tips, as well as free Children Identification Kits available in Spanish and English, are available to help parents keep their children safe.

"Child safety is important year round, but Halloween is an especially important time for parents and children to pay extra attention to their surroundings and not let their guard down," said Nancy McBride, National Safety Director of NCMEC. "It is important that parents exercise a few basic safety precautions to help ensure that Halloween is both fun and safe."

The following Halloween safety tips are offered by the Oregon State Police Missing Children Clearinghouse and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:

1) Be sure older children TAKE FRIENDS and younger children are accompanied by a TRUSTED ADULT when "Trick or Treating."
2) Accompany younger children to the door of every home they approach and make sure parents and guardians are familiar with every home and all people from which the children receive treats.
3) Teach children to NEVER enter a home without prior permission from their parents or guardians.
4) Teach children to NEVER approach a vehicle, occupied or not, unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.
5) Make sure all children wear reflective clothing and carry a glow stick when out at dusk and at night.
6) Make sure children are able to see and breathe properly and easily when using facial masks. All costumes and masks should be clearly marked as flame resistant.
7) Teach children to NEVER approach a home that is not well lit both inside and outside.
8) Teach children to stay alert for any suspicious incidents and report them to their parents, guardians, and/or the proper authority.
9) Teach children if anyone tries to grab them to make a scene; loudly yell this person is not my father/mother/guardian; and make every effort to get away by kicking, screaming, and resisting.
10) Consider organizing or attending parties at home, in schools, or in community centers as a good alternative to "Trick or Treating."

Available year round through the Oregon State Police – Missing Children Clearinghouse (OSP MCC), ID Complete Child Identification and DNA kits are a wonderful proactive method to be prepared in case your child ever becomes missing. "These kits are not only helpful when you need them most, but they are also a great way to open up communication lines with your children regarding child safety," said Judy Hayes of the OSP MCC.

The child ID Complete kits were purchased with money raised during the 11th Annual Oregon State Police Missing Children Golf Benefit held in Salem last month. More than $14,000 was raised this year that will help buy 26,000 child ID kits.

Obtaining a child ID Complete kit from the Oregon State Police - Missing Children Clearinghouse can be done by calling (503) 934-0188 or outside Salem at 1-800-282-7155, or e-mail child.idkits@state.or.us . Please provide your name, address, number of kits needed and a call back phone number when making a request.