Posted: 10/24/2016
Police at Parkland urge everyone to ‘trick or treat’ with care
For some, the magic of Halloween is veiled in the mystery of faces covered by frightening masks or the glee of toddlers dressed in cute costumes. For others, it’s the trick-or-treating, parties or family trips to a neighborhood haunted house, local shopping mall or community center.
But for moms and dads, often there is a fine line between Halloween fun and safety concerns, especially when it comes to road and pedestrian safety. That’s why officers with the Dallas County Hospital District Police Department caution about the hidden dangers that could lurk amidst the ghouls and goblins.
“Halloween can be a fun time especially for children who get dressed up in costume and go from door-to-door,” said Sgt. Robert Johnson, Crime Prevention Coordinator at Parkland. “But in the blink of an eye something unexpected can happen. That’s why it’s important that parents or those walking with children as they trick or treat keep a watchful eye.”
In 2013, an estimated 6,100 pedestrian deaths and 160,000 medically consulted nonfatal injuries occurred among pedestrians in motor vehicle incidents, according to Injury Facts 2015, the statistical report on unintentional injuries created by the National Safety Council (NSC).
NSC research revealed the reasons for pedestrian deaths and injuries varied by age. Darting or running into the road accounted for about 70 percent of pedestrian deaths or injuries for those age 5 to 9 and about 47 percent of incidents for those 10 to 14.
In the U.S., October ranked second in motor vehicle deaths by month. The NSC list put August first, with 3,370 deaths, followed by October with 3,200, and September, 3,170.
“It’s good to have fun when you’re out on Halloween, but it’s important to talk to your children about safety before they go trick-or-treating,” Sgt. Johnson said. “I like to encourage adults to get in on the fun by accompanying those younger than 12. Older kids should go with a group of friends, parents or older siblings and make sure someone in the group has a flashlight with fresh batteries.”
Sgt. Johnson said if your child will be trick-or-treating without you, plan and discuss a familiar route and set a curfew. Review safety rules including staying with the group, walking only on the sidewalk, approaching only clearly lit homes and never go inside a home or car for a treat. Have your child carry a cellphone for the evening so that he or she can contact you.
“Err on the side of caution,” Sgt. Johnson said. “Even if your child complains about having to go with an older sibling or with you, don’t let them go unaccompanied. Their health and well-being is far too important.”
If you or a loved one consumes an item you have concerns about, the staff of the North Texas Poison Center (NTPC), housed at Parkland, is ready to answer any poison-related questions on its toll-free hotline at 1.800.222.1222.
Last year poison information specialists received 1,378 calls between Oct. 27 and Nov. 2. Of those, 970 were calls involving exposures to various substances and 393 were for information.
In 2015, the NTPC received 79,719 calls. The staff assessed, triaged and monitored more than 58,827 poisoned patients of which 69 percent were managed at home.
For more information about services at Parkland, please visit www.parklandhospital.com.