The Austin Police Department is offering safety tips for those celebrating Halloween this weekend both in their neighborhoods and on 6th Street.
AUSTIN, Texas – The Austin Police Department is offering safety tips for those celebrating Halloween this weekend both in their neighborhoods and on 6th Street.
What we know:
APD held a news conference Thursday to share tips and its 6th Street safety plan.
Halloween safety tips for trick-or-treaters, adults
APD shared tips for parents and guardians on how to keep their trick-or-treaters safe this Halloween, including:
Know your trick-or-treaters’ route; if they’re young, go with themTake a flashlightBe sure costumes, shoes, and treat bags are safeRemind children not to enter a stranger’s home or vehicleSet rules about not eating treats until your child comes homeInspect all treats before allowing your children to eat them; throw away any opened candy and inspect any homemade treats or fruit immediatelyWatch open flames, especially from pumpkins; review ‘stop, drop, and roll’ in case a costume or wig catches on fireOnly visit well-lit homesMake sure fake knives, swords, guns are made from cardboard, or other flexible materials to avoid accidental injury or having them mistaken for the real thing. Don’t cut across yards, use sidewalks and stay out of backyardsFollow traffic signals and don’t jaywalk or cross mid-block; never cross the street between parked carsAlways watch for cars backing up or turning
If you plan on handing out treats or being out on Halloween, here are some tips for you:
Turn on your porch lights and make your homes approachableRemove items from your yard that might present a hazardDrive slowly all evening and use caution when moving through neighborhoodsReport any and all suspicious activity to police
For adults celebrating, APD is reminding them to also be cautious with their costumes, including fire safety, visibility and making sure any accessories or props are safe.
Austin Halloween safety tips & street closures
FULL NEWS CONFERENCE: The Austin Police Department is providing safety tips for Halloween specifically for trick-or-treaters in neighborhoods and for those visiting downtown Austin’s 6th Street. APD is also talking about street closures downtown.
Halloween safety tips, plan for 6th Street
APD says it will have a vehicle safety mitigation plan in place for Halloween night. Meridian barricades will be placed to protect pedestrians.
Officers will also be visible in the area and at 100% staffing levels downtown. ATCEMS will also have medical assets available.
APD is warning those visiting to plan for dense crowds and have a safety plan in place to reunite with friends or family members if you end up separated. Those bringing children are advised to keep them close and within sight.
Community members are also advised not to bring any real weapons to 6th Street as part of their costumes, such as swords, spears or any other objects that could accidentally harm others.
Pedestrians are advised to obey crosswalk signals and cross the street safely.
Other safety tips include:
Protect your valuablesDo not keep your cell phones in back pocketsNo open containers of alcohol or glass containers
APD is also urging everyone to not drink and drive and instead have a designated driver or use a rideshare or taxi service. No refusal is in effect.
6th Street closures 
APD is closing intersections around the 6th Street/Trinity/Neches area.
6th Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from San Jacinto Boulevard to Red River Street starting at 7 p.m. on Friday until 4 a.m. Saturday morning.
Specific closures are:
6th Street from Red River to San Jacinto BoulevardNeches Street from 5th Street to 7th StreetTrinity Street from 5th Street to 7th Street
San Jacinto will not be closed and instead will remain open for southbound one-way motor-vehicle and bicycle traffic.
Vehicles will be towed beginning at 7 p.m. in the 200 block and 500 block of 6th Street. Towed vehicle owners should be able to find their vehicle using the Auto Returns website with their license plate and VIN number.
The Source: Information in this report comes from the Austin Police Department