<p>October 27, 2016</p>
<p>Halloween is just days away, and kids throughout Texas will be celebrating in costumes to trick-or-treat. The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) has these tips to keep students safe this Halloween.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Serve a meal before they leave.</strong> This will help children be less temped to snack on Halloween candy before they get home.</li>
<li><strong>Inspect candy before consumption.</strong> Tell students not to eat anything they receive until they get home. Warn youngsters that an adult has to inspect their treats before they can eat it. Check for candy wrappers that have been tampered with. It might have lumps or bulges, punctures or pinholes, ripped wrappers, loose wrappers, discolored or stained candy, or candy that has strange smell.</li>
<li><strong>Bring safety gear.</strong> Hold a flashlight or lantern while trick-or-treating. Make sure they&rsquo;re walking and not running from house to house, as cracks in the road or pot holes could cause children to fall.</li>
<li><strong>Look both ways.</strong> Costumes and masks can limit a child&rsquo;s vision. Using makeup is best, but if a mask is a must, make sure it fits properly and allows the student to easily see out. Teach kids to look both ways before dashing across the street to the next house for trick-or-treating.</li>
<li><strong>Do not enter stranger&rsquo;s home.</strong> Although children are going door-to-door, advise them not to enter strangers&rsquo; houses. Stay together in groups, and always trick-or-treat with a trusted, responsible adult.</li>
</ul>
<p>ATPE hopes Texas students will have a fun and safe Halloween this year. If you see any suspicious activity, please contact your local police department.</p>
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<p>The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) has been a strong voice for Texas educators since 1980. It is the leading educators&rsquo; association in Texas with more than 100,000 members statewide. With its strong collaborative philosophy, ATPE speaks for classroom teachers, administrators, future, retired and para-educators and works to create better opportunities for 5 million public schoolchildren. ATPE is the ally and the voice of Texas public education.</p>
Treats Not Tricks: Tips to keep kids safe this Halloween
Download this press release (PDF)
October 27, 2016
Halloween is just days away, and kids throughout Texas will be celebrating in costumes to trick-or-treat. The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) has these tips to keep students safe this Halloween.
- Serve a meal before they leave. This will help children be less temped to snack on Halloween candy before they get home.
- Inspect candy before consumption. Tell students not to eat anything they receive until they get home. Warn youngsters that an adult has to inspect their treats before they can eat it. Check for candy wrappers that have been tampered with. It might have lumps or bulges, punctures or pinholes, ripped wrappers, loose wrappers, discolored or stained candy, or candy that has strange smell.
- Bring safety gear. Hold a flashlight or lantern while trick-or-treating. Make sure they’re walking and not running from house to house, as cracks in the road or pot holes could cause children to fall.
- Look both ways. Costumes and masks can limit a child’s vision. Using makeup is best, but if a mask is a must, make sure it fits properly and allows the student to easily see out. Teach kids to look both ways before dashing across the street to the next house for trick-or-treating.
- Do not enter stranger’s home. Although children are going door-to-door, advise them not to enter strangers’ houses. Stay together in groups, and always trick-or-treat with a trusted, responsible adult.
ATPE hopes Texas students will have a fun and safe Halloween this year. If you see any suspicious activity, please contact your local police department.
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The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) has been a strong voice for Texas educators since 1980. It is the leading educators’ association in Texas with more than 100,000 members statewide. With its strong collaborative philosophy, ATPE speaks for classroom teachers, administrators, future, retired and para-educators and works to create better opportunities for 5 million public schoolchildren. ATPE is the ally and the voice of Texas public education.