9:15 p.m.- Staying Safe on Halloween
By: Lauren Lea, KARK 4 News
Updated: October 28, 2008
Trick-or-treating is just days away and parents across Arkansas are preparing for the big night. However, deputies with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office have some tips on how to stay safe.
Some states, like Texas, have laws which restrict the activities of registered sex offenders on Halloween. Some states prohibt them from decorating their homes, others implement curfews and prohibit offenders from interacting with children. No such law exists in Arkansas.
"With any type of crime on Halloween, it's something to pay attention to. It's always been a holiday known for mischief of any type. Regarding sex offenders, we generally don't see anything more happening with sex offenders on this date than any other," Deputy Scott Tudor said.
However, deputies say there are some things you can do to have a safe holiday.
The PSCO recommends knowing where sex offenders live in your area. You can check this website, or you can go to the PCSO website for more information.
Some other tips:
- Never trick-or-treat alone.
- Trick-or-treat at well lit homes.
- Never go inside a stranger's home.
- Always check with your parents before going somewhere with any person.
- Run, scream, or get away if someone tries to take you and call 911.
- Parents should avoid scary details, but give general information.
- Encourage communication with your child and review public safety materials.
- Teach your child identifying information, such as name, address, birth date, and parents' names.
- Teach your child about "good touch" and "bad touch."
- Make it a habit to listen to your child and believe them. Be sensitive to your child's behavior and feelings.
Click here to find more safety tips for Halloween
Some states, like Texas, have laws which restrict the activities of registered sex offenders on Halloween. Some states prohibt them from decorating their homes, others implement curfews and prohibit offenders from interacting with children. No such law exists in Arkansas.
"With any type of crime on Halloween, it's something to pay attention to. It's always been a holiday known for mischief of any type. Regarding sex offenders, we generally don't see anything more happening with sex offenders on this date than any other," Deputy Scott Tudor said.
However, deputies say there are some things you can do to have a safe holiday.
The PSCO recommends knowing where sex offenders live in your area. You can check this website, or you can go to the PCSO website for more information.
Some other tips:
- Never trick-or-treat alone.
- Trick-or-treat at well lit homes.
- Never go inside a stranger's home.
- Always check with your parents before going somewhere with any person.
- Run, scream, or get away if someone tries to take you and call 911.
- Parents should avoid scary details, but give general information.
- Encourage communication with your child and review public safety materials.
- Teach your child identifying information, such as name, address, birth date, and parents' names.
- Teach your child about "good touch" and "bad touch."
- Make it a habit to listen to your child and believe them. Be sensitive to your child's behavior and feelings.
Click here to find more safety tips for Halloween
