Halloween Safety Tips
As Halloween approaches, it is time to start thinking about costumes and trick-or-treating. The Wichita Police Department would like to share with you some safety tips to help ensure that your family’s Halloween holiday is safe and successful.
For Trick-or-Treaters:
· Carry a flashlight
· Walk, don’t run
· Stay on sidewalks
· Obey traffic signals
· Stay in familiar neighborhoods
· Don’t cut across yards or driveways
· Wear a watch you can read in the dark
· Make sure costumes don’t drag on the ground
· Shoes should fit (even if it doesn’t go with the costume)
· Avoid wearing masks while walking from house to house
· Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props
· Walk of the left side of the road, facing traffic, if a sidewalk is unavailable
· Wear clothing with reflective markings or tape
· Approach only houses that are lit.
· Stay away from and don’t pet animals you don’t know
For Parents:
· Make your child eat dinner before setting out
· Children should carry quarters so they can call home
· Ideally, young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult
· If your children go on their own, be sure they wear a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark
· If you buy a costume, look for one made of flame-retardant material
· Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home
· You should know where they’re going
· Although tampering is rare, tell children to bring the candy home to be inspected before consuming anything
For Homeowners:
· Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, do leashes and flower pots that can trip the young ones.
· Pets get frightened on Halloween. Put them up to protect them from cars or inadvertently biting a trick-or-treater
· Battery powered jack-o’-lantern candles are preferable to a real flame
· If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing
· Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won’t be blown into a flaming candle
· Healthy food alternatives for trick-or-treaters include packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be cooked in a microwave later
· Non-food treats: plastic rings, pencils, stickers, erasers, coins
ATTENTION 399 BEAT!
In the last several weeks neighborhoods have reported being contacted by a female at very early morning hours soliciting money. She uses the ruse of needing gas money to get her and her kids home. This is a scam. Not only is the soliciting a crime, the welfare of the children needs to be checked. Here is what we know so far:
White Female
Average Build
Dark Hair (ponytail)
White Car or Dark SUV
Two - Three Children (they stay in the vehicle)
If you encounter this woman at your home:
1. Do not give her money
2. Call 911
3. Provide a good description of the woman to the 911 Operator
A good rule of thumb is to work from the head and go down. Hair color, facial descriptors, clothing, height, weight, build.
4. Provide the best description of the vehicle to the 911 Operator
If you don't know the make, provide the color and anything that stands out on the vehicle. Do all the lights work? Is there a decal in the window? Are the windows tinted? Anything officers can use to pick out the right vehicle out of many is helpful.
Currently there have been no reports of her being violent. However, at any time her method of operation could change depending on how desperate she becomes. Consider that she could be gathering information about when you are home / not at home to set up a burglary or possibly a home invasion.
Remember - This person is coming to your home to do this! We are not dealing with a typical beggar you may encounter downtown. Please help us identify her, get her stopped, and make sure these kids are in a healthy environment.