Mayfair in Tampa Palms

Tampa Police “Halloween Safety Tips”

Oct 30, 2006

Tampa Police Department?’s Special Operations Division
?“Halloween Safety Tips?”

This Halloween season there will be many witches, goblins and super-heroes descending onto the streets of Tampa. It is important for those in the community to be vigilant and familiar with HALLOWEEN SAFETY tips. Ideally trick-or-treaters should always be accompanied by an adult. When children trick-or-treat alone they can be forced into vulnerable situations and unsafe circumstances. If parents can not accompany their children this they should seek out a reliable friend or family member who can. It is important for parents to pre-plan routes and designate familiar neighborhoods that their children can visit.

Once those designated neighborhoods are determined, parents should familiarize them selves with sex offenders residing in those areas. This important information can be obtained by logging onto the:

Florida Department of Law Enforcement website:
www.FDLE.state.fl.us.

Once on the website parents can obtain needed information on sex offenders by entering the zip code of the area they wish to check. The website provides the NAME, ADDRESS and a PICTURE of the sex offender, along with other important information.

Parents should also remember that it is extremely important to talk to their children about HALLOWEEN SAFETY and ways to stay out of danger. Below are some important SAFETY tips that you, your family and friends can follow this Halloween season.

Trick-or-Treaters should

1. Always walk on sidewalks, not streets and sidewalks should be well lit.
2. Look both ways before crossing the street to check for vehicular traffic.
3. Not hide or cross the street between parked vehicles.
4. Avoid taking short cuts through backyards and alleys.
5. Wear light-colored or reflective-tape clothing so they are more visible.
6. Add reflective-tape to bikes, skateboards, roller skates and scooters.
7. Plan a route and share it with family.
8. Carry a flashlight to illuminate their path.
9. Keep away from open fires and candles, (costumes can be extremely flammable).
10. Visit homes that have the porch light on.
11. Visit familiar neighborhoods.
12. Accept your treats at the door and never go into a stranger?’s house, throw out candy or treats that are homemade, unwrapped or if they appear to have been tampered with (pinholes in wrappers, torn wrappers, etc.).
13. Use face paint rather than masks or things that will cover eyes.
14. Be cautious of animals and strangers.
15. Have a grown-up inspect your treats before eating and don?’t eat candy if the package is already opened, remember small hard pieces of candy can be a choking hazard for young children.
16. Have a cellular phone, (if child is responsible enough) and coins for a pay phone if the need arises.

The Tampa Police Department is aggressively preparing for this Halloween season. Tampa Police Officers will be visible in neighborhoods throughout the City of Tampa and will be working hard to make this season a safe one. Let?’s make it a Halloween season to remember, by being SAFE and VIGILANT! If you have any questions please contact Officer Veronica Hills of the Special Incidents Management Unit at 276-3391 or the Tampa Police Department?’s Crime Prevention Unit at 276-3318.