HOUSTON, Texas – With Halloween on Friday, law enforcement across Houston is ramping up efforts to make sure kids can enjoy trick-or-treating safely.
The Harris County Precinct 7 Constable’s Office is teaming up with the Houston Police Department for a Halloween safety operation aimed at keeping children away from potential danger.
The joint “Halloween Safe Initiative” covers 23 districts across Houston and monitors roughly 1,300 registered sex offenders.
From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Halloween night, teams of deputies and officers will visit the homes of offenders to ensure they’re following the rules of their parole or probation.
That means:
No handing out candy
No Halloween decorations
No porch lights on after 5 p.m.
If officers find any violations, they’ll document them and send reports to parole and probation officers for follow-up.
Officials say the goal isn’t to scare the community, it’s to prevent problems before they happen and keep neighborhoods safe while families are out celebrating.
Karen Kennard, with The Children’s Assessment Center, spoke on KPRC 2+ The Stream earlier this week about the importance of having a safety conversation before kids head out for Halloween.
“It’s very important for parents to talk to their children before they go out,” Kennard said.
Experts recommend reminding children to:
Stay with a trusted group of friends or family members
Avoid going inside strangers’ homes
Stick to well-lit neighborhoods
Check all candy before eating it
Also, parents or guardians should always accompany young children and follow these guidelines:
Use a flashlight to see and be seen.
Be cautious of open flames in jack-o-lanterns.
Ensure costumes and props (like knives or swords) are made from flexible materials.
Stay in groups and communicate about their plans.
Only visit homes with porch lights on.
Stick to well-lit streets and use sidewalks whenever possible.
Cross streets at established crosswalks or corners, avoiding zig-zagging.
Remove masks or any items that might obstruct vision before crossing streets.
Always assume that they do not have the right of way, as drivers may have difficulty seeing them.
Never consume unwrapped food items or drinks. Wait until treats have been inspected by an adult at home.
As for homeowners looking to give out candy, here are ways to ensure your home is safe and welcoming for enthusiastic trick-or-treaters:
Turning on your porch light.
Moving lit jack-o-lanterns away from high-traffic areas.
Using flashlights or LED candles instead of real flames.
Clearing walkways of any hazards.
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