Stay safe while trick-or-treating Posted On: Saturday, Oct. 31 2009 05:01 AM By Victor O'Brien
Killeen Daily Herald

For local police, the fright, fear and horror of Halloween are better left to the imagination.

Halloween promises a night of spooks, smiles and sugary snacks for children. At the same time, Halloween can become a nightmare for parents and children who don't put safety first.

Local police have experienced safe, uneventful Halloweens for the last several years. However, a safe Halloween is never guaranteed.

A few years ago, a Harker Heights child was struck by a vehicle while darting across streets, Harker Heights Officer Dave Haley said. The accident highlights just one of the ways danger can haunt Halloween.

A safe Halloween for children always starts with parents. Parents need to do more than instruct their children about safe Halloween choices. Parents should be by their side, Copperas Cove Lt. Daniel Austin said.

A parent can deter children from predators who promise children candy if they go inside a car or a home, Haley said.

Parental supervision reduces the likelihood a child will dart in front of a car. Still drivers and neighbors should to watch for neighborhood children to keep them safe.

"Drivers need to be paying special attention for kids that will be darting out. It never fails, even if a child is with a parent; it only takes two seconds for them to dart across the street," Haley said.

Children may not like the advice, but all candy should go uneaten until examined by parents, Austin said. While rare, children have found bizarre dangers in Halloween candy.

"Check the wrappers of prepackaged treats for signs of tampering and throw away anything that's unwrapped. It's not worth taking a chance. If some harmful item like razor blade pin is found, call the police," Austin said.

He recommends the safest events are those sponsored by civic organizations.

Contact Victor O'Brien at vobrien@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7468.

Trick-or-treat times

Killeen: 6-9 p.m.

Copperas Cove: 6-8 p.m.

Harker Heights: 6-8 p.m.

Fort Hood: 6-8 p.m.

City events

Killeen

The city of Killeen is sponsoring its annual Halloween Festival from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the Killeen Special Events Center, 3301 S.W.S. Young Dr.

Harker Heights

Enjoy a safe alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating at the Halloween Hoopla sponsored by the City of Harker Heights from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Carl Levin Park. Admission is free and activities include games, inflatables, candy, music and more. Call (254) 953-5657.

Copperas Cove

The Copperas Cove Downtown Association plans a "Safe Trick-or-Treat" downtown from 6 to 8 p.m. today. Roads will be closed near Avenue E and S. Main Street, so families can enjoy a safe place to trick-or-treat. There will also be a costume contest and games.

Other events

Central Texas College will host its annual Haunted House and Autumn Carnival in the Student Center, Building 106, today.

The haunted house will be open to the public from 6 to 11 p.m. and features activities for the entire family including a haunted hayride, games, costume contests, food and a haunted house designed by students of the various campus clubs and organizations. A tour of the haunted house costs $4 per person and the haunted hayride is $1 per person. The carnival games start at 50 cents. After leaving the haunted house, visit the Mayborn Planetarium and Space Theater for more frightening fun with special presentations of two laser light shows, which rotate every 45 minutes starting at 6 p.m. with the last show starting at 10:30 p.m. "Quarantine" will be shown at 11:15 p.m. Saturday. The film is rated R.

Spooktacular winds along a wooded trail in Ogletree Gap Park in Copperas Cove. The annual haunted trail ride starts at 7:30 p.m. today. The cost is $5 per person. Children under age 3 get in free and group rates are available.

Clayton Homes of Killeen will hold a Halloween Trick or Treat from noon to 3 p.m. today at Clayton Homes No. 681, 3800 E. Central Texas Expressway in Killeen. The safe and fun family event will feature a costume contest with prizes and ID card fingerprinting for the kids. Bring your treat bag for free candy. For more information, call (254) 690-3225.

Trick or treat from 4 to 6:30 p.m. today at Keller Williams Realty Heart of Texas, 2025 Memory Lane, Suite 400 in Harker Heights. There will be free popcorn and drinks, moonwalk, face painting and a door prize for one lucky winner. Call (254) 634-8500.

Safety Tips

Children always need to be accompanied by an adult.

Always trick-or-treat in a group with at least two friends.

Plan a route that your family knows about.

Wear flame-retardant costumes.

Do not eat candy until inspected by parents.

Beware of strangers.

Visit only homes where lights are turned on.

Never enter a home. Take candy at the front door.

Stay along sidewalks and in driveways.