Safety first, then trick-or-treat

The Texas Department of Public Safety is reminding residents to remain safe on Halloween whether attending an event, trick-or-treating or traveling the roads. 

“We know many Texans, young and old, will be out celebrating Halloween this year,” DPS Director Steven McCraw said. “We ask that you take some simple safety measures — like staying visible, traveling in groups and remaining alert — so that everyone is safe and Halloween remains an enjoyable night for all across the state.” 

Some trick-or-treating safety tips provided by the state department include:

•  Walk on sidewalks and use crosswalks 
• Discuss the importance of only visiting well-lit houses and never entering a stranger's home or car for candy 
• Carry glow sticks, flashlights or wearable lights to increase visibility 
• Travel with adult supervision and stay in familiar neighborhoods n In the event of separation, have a prearranged meet up location 
• Use face paint instead of masks that could obstruct a child’s vision 
• Make sure children know the phone number of an adult and how to call 911 in case they become lost 
• After trick-or-treating, have an adult inspect the candy before eating and never eat items that don’t have a wrapper 

The Texas Public Sex Offender Registry details where the residences of sex offenders are so trick-or-treaters can be kept safe. The registry can be found at https://sor.dps.texas.gov/PublicSite/. For drivers, DPS reminds Texans not to drink and drive. Buckle up. Use caution when potentially around trick-ortreaters and eliminate distractions like cell phones. 

If needed, the Texas Roadside Assistance number can be found on the back of a Texas Driver License.