Monday, October 29, 2012

Spooktacular Halloween coming up. The trick is to keep everything and everyone safe





Halloween is coming up fast, as in  Wednesday, October 31, and the City of Arlington encourages everyone to be safe out there.
The Arlington Police Department offers a smart list of safety reminders for trick-or-treaters and motorists. Consider the following:
  • As a safer alternative to trick-or-treating, consider attending a carnival or haunted house.
  • If trick-or-treating, travel in groups and carry flashlights.
  • Children should always be accompanied by an adult.
  • When walking on neighborhood streets, face the traffic.
  • Carefully plan trick-or-treat routes to avoid repeatedly crossing the street.
  • Stop only at familiar homes where the outside lights are on.
  • Never allow a child to enter an automobile or residence.
  • Check all treats in a well-lit area before allowing children to eat them. Immediately discard suspicious candy or items.
  • Select bright costumes or decorate with reflective tape for increased night visibility.
  • Purchase costumes, masks, beards and wigs labeled “flame resistant.”
  • To prevent trips and falls, keep costumes short and avoid ill-fitting shoes.
  • Try make-up instead of a mask. If a mask is worn, be sure eye holes are large enough for full vision.
Motorists are reminded to be extra cautious of pedestrians on Halloween.
  • Use headlights before nightfall to increase your vehicle’s visibility.
  • Do not exceed 10 or 15 miles per hour when driving through residential areas.
  • Keep your thumbs on the wheel. Do not text and drive.
Halloween can also be a traumatic time for pets. The Arlington Animal Services Division and ASPCA offer these reminders:
  • Do not leave pets in the yard on Halloween.
  • Be sure your dog or cat is unable to exit the home when a door is opened for trick-or-treaters.
  • Consider keeping pets in a separate room during trick-or-treat hours
  • Trick-or-treat candies are not for pets. Chocolate can be poisonous.
  • Be extra careful around lit pumpkins. Pets could knock one over and cause a fire.
For more information about Halloween safety for pets, go to www.aspca.org or call the City of Arlington Animal Services Center at 817-451-3436.

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