Halloween Safety Tips

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

Oregon Missing Children Clearinghouse

Halloween Safety Tips & Child ID Kits from the Missing Children Clearinghouse

The Oregon State Police - Missing Children Clearinghouse and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children understand the concerns that parents and children have when planning for Halloween activities. The below "Trick or Treating" safety tips, as well as free Children Identification Kits available in Spanish and English, are being made available to help parents keep their children safe.

Statistics have shown that one in six missing children are located or recovered because of a photograph. "These kits are a wonderful proactive method to be prepared in case your child ever becomes missing," says Judy Hayes of the Oregon State Police - Missing Children Clearinghouse. "They are also a great way to open up communication lines with your children regarding child safety."

Purchased with money from the Oregon State Police Missing Children Golf Benefit, the kits only take a few minutes to fill out, are non-intrusive and contain valuable information that would be very useful to police in the event that a child became missing. Included in the kit are a place for a photograph, medical information, personal information, DNA hair strand sample, fingerprints (self inking strip included), dental information and physical description. After completing the kit, it can be sealed in a zip lock bag and placed in the freezer or other safe place.

"In the event the information is needed, you must be able to obtain it easily and rapidly because time is of the utmost concern when dealing with a missing child," Hayes said.

Child Identification Kit

Parents and families may obtain a Child Identification Kit from the Oregon State Police - Missing Children Clearinghouse at (503) 378-3725 ext. 4412 or outside Salem at 1-800-282-7155 or e-mail judy.hayes@state.or.us. Please provide your name, address and a call back phone number when making a request.

The following Halloween safety tips are brought to you by the Oregon State Police Missing Children Clearinghouse and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:

Don't let children go "Trick or Treating" alone.
Be sure older children use the BUDDY SYSTEM. An adult should accompany young children
Accompany young children to the door of every house they approach. Stay within sight of the door when opened.
Parents should be familiar with every house, and with all people from which the children receive treats.
Children should be cautioned never to enter any home without prior permission from their parents.
Children should be cautioned never to approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless they know the owner and are accompanied by a parent.
Make sure that all children carry a glow stick or flashlight and wear reflective clothing.
When using facemasks, make sure the child can see and breathe properly and easily.
All costumes and masks should be clearly marked as flame resistant.
Children should be warned to never approach any house that isn't well lit and that does not have a porch light on.
Children should be cautioned to remember any suspicious incidents and report them to their parents, a trusted adult, or the police.
Children should be cautioned to run away immediately from people who try to lure them with special treats.
Children should be instructed to scream and make a scene if anyone tries to grab them or force them, in any way, to go with them.
Parents should inspect all treats and dispose of anything that has been opened or has never been wrapped. The police should be notified if something has been tampered with.
A good alternative to "Trick or Treating" is for parents to organize parties at home or through the child's school.

Have a safe and fun Halloween!