Trick-or-treating and Halloween festivities may be fun and games for children, but for Texas safety officials, it’s serious business. The Texas Department of Public Safety has issued a comprehensive set of Halloween safety guidelines as part of its ongoing “90 Days of Safety” campaign, addressing everything from gun storage to fentanyl awareness.
“Sometimes it’s the smallest compromises that lead to the biggest consequences,” warns Texas Highway Patrol Chief Bryan Rippee. “This Halloween remember to plan a sober ride, put the phone away and slow down for pedestrians— especially children. A few mindful choices behind the wheel can make all the difference in keeping our families and communities safe – it can save a life.”
Gun Safety During Halloween Gatherings
With many households hosting parties and gatherings, DPS officials are emphasizing responsible gun ownership. “Safely store your firearms locked in a cabinet or safe,” the agency advises. “Practicing safe gun storage protects our kids, prevents accidents and keeps guns out of the hands of criminals. If you’re having Halloween gatherings in your home – act now!”
The department has made downloadable safe storage checklists available through its Safe Storage Campaign, hoping to prevent tragic accidents during what should be a festive time.
Fentanyl Awareness
A particularly chilling concern this Halloween? Fentanyl disguised as candy. DPS cautions that many victims of fentanyl poisoning have no idea their substances are laced with the deadly drug. Their stark reminder: “Just ONE PILL laced with 2 milligrams of fentanyl can take someone’s life.”
Parents are strongly encouraged to inspect all Halloween goodies before consumption and discard any unwrapped items – a precaution that could save lives in an era where drug threats continue to evolve.
Trick-or-Treating Safety
How visible is your child after dark? DPS recommends using bright, reflective costumes or adding reflective tape to darker outfits to help drivers spot trick-or-treaters. The agency also suggests using face paint instead of vision-obstructing masks and carrying glow sticks or flashlights to increase visibility.
Parents should establish clear plans with their children, including a prearranged meetup location in case groups get separated. “Make sure children know the phone number of an adult and how to call 911 in case they become lost,” officials state. “After trick-or-treating, take all goodies home for an adult to inspect before eating.”
The risk isn’t hypothetical. According to the non-profit Safe Kids Worldwide, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a vehicle and killed on Halloween than any other night of the year, as noted by DPS.
Know Your Neighborhood
In an uncomfortable but necessary reminder, DPS recommends checking the Texas Public Sex Offender Registry before planning trick-or-treating routes. The registry includes a map showing where registered sex offenders reside in a given area, allowing parents to make informed decisions about which neighborhoods to visit.
The department also encourages Texans to download the iWatchTexas app, which allows for confidential reporting of suspicious activity in schools and communities. “Reports take less than five minutes and help law enforcement stop life-threatening attacks before they happen,” DPS explains.
Driver Responsibilities
With streets filled with excited children, driver attention becomes critical. DPS urges motorists to eliminate distractions, particularly from mobile devices, and to slow down in residential areas. Texas law prohibits using portable wireless devices to read, write, or send messages unless the vehicle is stopped.
The guidance is straightforward: don’t drink and drive, buckle up everyone in the vehicle, and be especially vigilant in trick-or-treat locations. “Be aware as a driver – don’t assume children are paying attention to your vehicle,” the department emphasizes.
90 Days of Safety Initiative
These Halloween recommendations are part of DPS’ broader 90 Days of Safety initiative, a statewide campaign highlighting actions to make Texas safer. The initiative is divided into three 30-day themes: Keeping Texas Communities Safe, Keeping Texas Roads Safe, and Keeping Texas Families Safe. The Halloween safety advice falls under the third theme, which launched on October 10.
And for the little ones? As part of its 90th anniversary celebration, DPS has released a Keeping Texas Safe coloring and activity book featuring K-9 Disco, including a special Halloween-themed coloring sheet with additional safety reminders, available for download from their website.
For a holiday centered around ghouls and goblins, it seems the real-world dangers require just as much attention as the imaginary ones. With proper planning and awareness, Texas families can ensure their Halloween celebrations remain nothing scarier than the costumes themselves.
