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Fairfax County Police Department
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4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Va. 22030
703-246-2253. TTY 703-204-2264. Fax 703-246-4253
FCPD-PIO@fairfaxcounty.gov
www.fairfaxcounty.gov
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Advisory: Safety Tips/CSN
October 30, 2007
Halloween Safety Tips
Halloween is a night to share the importance of pedestrian safety by talking with children, educating them and practicing it as they go trick or treating. In addition, daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 4 and darkness will fall earlier; another time to keep in mind pedestrian safety tips. There have been 12 pedestrian fatalities this year in Fairfax County. The Board of Supervisors has proclaimed October Pedestrian Safety Month. Please consider these tips:
Safe Trick or Treating
§ Don’t let the excitement of Halloween allow your children to ignore the normal safety precautions: look both ways before crossing the street; cross in a crosswalk or at a corner (do not walk into the street between parked cars); walk on the sidewalk; do not talk to strangers; do not go into homes or cars of people they do not know; and do not approach animals they do not know. Make sure children know their name, phone number and address and to provide this information to a police officer in an emergency or if they are lost.
§ Younger children should have an adult with them while older children should provide their route and when they expect to return. If possible, provide a cell phone for your children.
§ Children should only visit homes that have their porch lights on.
§ Inspect your children’s candy before they eat it. Although food tampering is rare, it’s safest to eat only those candies that are individually wrapped and not homemade, unless you know the families who have prepared the homemade treats.
§ Have flashlights or glowsticks for children and/or for the accompanying adult.
§ Adults are reminded not to drink alcohol and drive.
Safe Costumes
§ Make sure your child’s Halloween costume is made with fire retardant materials and has eye holes large enough for your child to safely see out of. The costume should be short enough so it doesn’t interfere with walking.
§ If your child carries an accessory, such as a fake sword, make sure it’s made from a flexible material such as rubber, so it cannot injure your child or others.
§ Provide a costume that uses bright color or use reflective tape, so your child can be seen clearly by drivers and other trick-or-treating families.
§ Consider using makeup on children’s faces instead of a mask to allow the child to see clearly.
Pedestrian safety is a high priority of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. For information about the Fairfax County Pedestrian Program, go to http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/pedestrian.htm.
Have a safe and fun Halloween!
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