Don't be Spooked by an Unsafe Halloween

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- McGruff the Crime Dog says finding the perfect costume or carving jack-o-lanterns aren't the biggest worries for Halloween this year. McGruff and the National Crime Prevention Council want you to follow these safety tips to ensure a safe and fun Halloween trick-or-treat time for all.

Preparing your Home and Neighborhood for Halloween

-- Remove objects from your yard that might present a hazard to visitors.

-- Light up your house and yard so trick-or-treaters feel welcomed.

-- Ask your Neighborhood Watch or citizens' group to patrol the community.

-- Drive slowly and cautiously through your neighborhood -- you never know what creatures may scurry across your path.

Making Costumes Safe

-- Be sure costumes allow free movement and good vision. Eliminate trailing or dragging parts of the costume to prevent trips, falls, and other bumps in the night.

-- Consider using makeup instead of masks. If the child is wearing a mask, be sure he or she can see toward the sides and bottom as well as straight ahead.

-- Have children wear light colors or put reflective tape on their costumes.

Safe Trick-or-Treating

-- Plan a safe route for trick-or-treaters and designate an adult or teenager to walk with them.

-- Start to trick-or-treat while it is still light outside. When it turns dark, carry a flashlight or glow stick to light the way.

-- Cross the street only at intersections and look both ways.

-- Remind kids not to enter a stranger's house or car.

-- Inspect all treats and keep kids from eating treats before they get home.

Delicious Treats

-- Check out all treats in a well-lighted place, looking for any signs of tampering with the wrappers. You shouldn't let the children eat homemade treats unless you know and trust the source.

-- Remind kids to not eat everything at once. Agree on what goodies can be eaten and when.

-- Hold a treat trade --- let trick-or-treaters swap for their favorite goodies.

About the National Crime Prevention Council

The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) is a private, nonprofit organization whose primary mission is to be the nation's leader in helping people keep themselves, their families, and their communities safe from crime. NCPC manages public service advertising under the National Citizens' Crime Prevention Campaign--symbolized by McGruff the Crime Dog(R) and his "Take A Bite Out Of Crime(R)" slogan--and acts as secretariat for the Crime Prevention Coalition of America, more than 400 national, federal, state, and local organizations representing thousands of constituents who are committed to preventing crime. NCPC is funded through a variety of government agencies, corporate and private foundations, and donations from private individuals. NCPC also participates in the Combined Federal Campaign (#0840 on the pledge card). For more information on crime prevention issues, visit www.ncpc.org.