Just a reminder for Trick or Treat...

For Allen County Ohio- you can find a list of all sex offenders here.

I know that some of us have children that are "old enough to go alone", but I caution you all that these days going alone or even in a group of children with no supervision invites trouble.

Do you know the people at every door your child might knock upon? Do you know which homes contain sex offenders whose eyes your child may catch?

As a parent, it is our responsibility to ensure that our children are well protected- even if they think that having an adult tag along isn't the coolest idea. Just think of the alternatives, and I'm sure you would agree that a little embarrassment on their part is well worth the knowledge that your children are safe.

A few precautions, even for those of you who will be walking side by side with your children:

Take a few extra moments to plan a route that you will be using for trick or treat. Using that route, cross check your local sex offender database to see if there are any dangers along the way. Avoid any houses, businesses or schools that may have sex offenders. (yes schools- because some sex offenders do go to schools).

If you are Trick or Treating at night, take along a flashlight, or even better provide your children with glow sticks that they can wear.

Carry a cell phone. Some times the dangers aren't just to our children.

Last year there was a large problem with Haunted Houses being ran by sex offenders- so please use caution then too.

Some not so sex offender related tips for keeping kids safe include:

PEDESTRIAN INJURIES

* Never let children under age 12 go trick-or-treating or cross the street without the supervision of an adult on Halloween night.
* Teach them never to dart out into a street or cross between parked cars.
* Decorate costumes, bags and sacks with retroreflective tape and stickers.
* Use costumes that are light or bright enough to make children more visible at night.
* Teach children to walk, not run, while trick-or-treating.
* Remind children to stop at all street corners before crossing. Tell them to cross streets only at intersections and crosswalks.
* Teach them to look left, right and left again before crossing the street and to continue looking both ways as they cross.

In addition to pedestrian safety, parents should take precautions against the hazards of fire and fall safety issues. Below are some tips the Campaign recommends:

* Apply face paint or cosmetics directly to the face. It is safer than a loose-fitting mask that can obstruct a child's vision. If a mask is worn, be certain it fits securely. Cut the eyeholes large enough for full vision.
* Give trick-or-treaters flashlights.
* Make costumes short enough to avoid tripping.
* Secure hats so they will not slip over children's eyes.
* Dress children in shoes that fit. Adult shoes can cause kids to trip and fall.
* Allow children to carry only flexible knives, swords or other props. Anything they carry could injure them if they fall.
* Teach children not to cut across yards. Lawn ornaments and clotheslines are "hidden hazards" in the dark. Tell your children to stay on the sidewalk at all times.

BURNS

* Look for "flame resistant" labels on costumes, masks, beards and wigs.
* Avoid costumes made of flimsy material and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts. These are more likely to come in contact with an exposed flame, such as a candle, than tighter fitting costumes.
* Keep candles, pumpkins with candles, matches and lighters out of children�s reach.

Be safe.
Categories: predators, molesters,