Contact Cheryel Carpenter at 817-459-6404
October 27, 2004

The Arlington Police Department encourages the public to play it safe this Halloween and observe the suggestions below. Halloween is Sunday, Oct. 31.

• Consider attending a carnival or haunted house as an alternative to trick-or-treating.
• If trick-or-treating, travel in groups and carry flashlights.
• Children should always be accompanied by an adult.
• Face the traffic when walking on city streets.
• 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 a car 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, make certain the eye holes are large enough for full vision.

• Use headlights before night fall to increase your vehicle’s visibility.
• Do not exceed 10 or 15 miles per hour if driving through residential areas.
• Remember: Daylight-Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 31. Set your clocks back one hour.

• Do not leave your pets in the yard on Halloween.
• Consider keeping your dog, if he or she is not very social animal, in a separate room for trick-or-treat visiting hours. Too many strangers in unusual garb could frighten a dog.
• Trick-or-treat candies are not for pets. Chocolate can be poisonous for a lot of animals.
• Be careful of pets around a lit pumpkin. Pets may knock it over and cause a fire.
• If dressing your pet for Halloween, be sure not to obstruct his or her vision.
• Be sure your dog or cat is unable to exit the home when a door is opened for trick-or-treaters.