Halloween Safety Tips

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Halloween Safety Tips

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Ann Harkins

President & CEO, National Crime Prevention Council

http://www.ncpc.org/

In September of 2009, Ann M. Harkins, Esq. became the President and Chief Executive Officer of the non-profit National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC). NCPC symbolized by McGruff The Crime Dog® and his signature “Take A Bite Out Of Crime”® slogan, conducts public education training, technical assistance and manages public service advertising to help people keep themselves, their families and their communities safe from crime.

Prior to this role, Ms. Harkins served as the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer overseeing the day-to-day operations of the National Crime Prevention Council. Before joining NCPC, she was executive director of CASA of the Eastern Panhandle and coordinated West Virginia Summits on Homeland Security in 2003 and 2006. From 2001 to 2003, she served as Deputy Sergeant at Arms of the U.S. Senate where she was chief operating officer of the 800-person administrative office and Sergeant-at-Arms Al Lenhardt’s senior advisor after the 2001 terrorist and anthrax attacks. Before that, she held many public policy positions, including chief of staff for Attorney General Janet Reno, U.S. Department of Justice, and chief counsel, Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Technology and the Law. Ms. Harkins has a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and an M.A. in Latin American History and a B.A. in History from The Catholic University of America.

Halloween Safety Tips

Ann Harkins, President and CEO of the National Crime Prevention Council and McGruff the crime dog talk about trick or treat safety.

This expert: 26,837 views
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Mgruff

Transcripts

Ann Harkins: Hi! I am Ann Harkins, President and CEO of the National Crime Prevention Council, home of McGruff the crime dog. I'm here today with my pal McGruff to talk about trick or treat safety.

Halloween is a fun time of the year, when we get to dress up and eat a lot of candy. There are also a few safety tips you need to remember.

Trick or treat at your local mall or in your own neighborhood. Consider going with your children when they trick-or-treat. If that's not possible plan ahead and make sure they go with friends or older siblings.

Be sure your children and teenagers carry a flash light, a glow stick or a reflective candy bag, that makes them clearly visible to others, especially if they are trick or treating at night.

Secure emergency Identification name, address and phone number discretely in their Halloween costumes.

Remind kids not to enter a strange house or car and be sure they don't accept rides from people in the neighborhood unless they cleared it with you first.

If your kids are older, be sure that you map out a safe route with them, so you know where they are at all times. Remind your kids and specially your teenies not to take shortcuts through alleys, backyards or playing fields.

Never go out trick or treating alone, whether you are a second grader or a seventh grader, there's always safety in numbers.

One last thing, check all treats at home in a place where there's lots of light and be sure your kids know not to eat their treats until they get home.

Giving your kids a good substantial dinner before they leave can help make the candy less tempting while they are out trick or treating.

Be safe, have a good time and I hope you bring home lots of goodies. If you are interested in more safety tips and some fun coloring pages and Halloween activities for your kids, please visit ncpc.

org. At the National Crime Prevention Council, we are committed to protecting children and youth. Think of us as your resource to help keep your families safe.

In our next video, we'll discuss ways to make the right decisions about choosing a Halloween costume.