Parents of trick-or-treating kids can get so caught up in the fun themselves that they might forget some simple safety ideas that could keep everyone out of trouble. Having a fun and safe Halloween will make it all worth while!
Kids love Halloween! They get to dress up and get free candy! What a perfect holiday! Give your kids some precious Halloween memories that they'll have for life.
If you take your kids to a sponsored event, like a safe Halloween thrown by your church or community center, make sure to keep an eye on them at all times. Even though it seems less dangerous, you are still in a strange environment full of people that you don't know. All it takes is a minute with your back turned to find your child gone.
Cell phones are everywhere now! Everyone seems to have one, they can be so affordable.Make sure that your child has a pre-programmed cell phonewith him/her if they go out on Halloween night! Make sure that all important numbers are already there and ready for use.
Below is more common sense tips that can help adults keep their kids safe.
As bad as it sounds, this is just a fact of life now. Get on the Internet and check your local state website for sex offenders. Almost every state has one; just do a search for your state sex offender site. Look up your zip code and it should have a list of registered offenders in your area that includes street addresses. Make sure that your kids stay away from these houses!
Know the route your kids will be taking if you aren't going with them. Let them know that they are to check in with you every hour, by phone or by stopping back at home. Make sure that they know not to deviate from the planned route so that you always know where they will be.
Trick or treating isn't what it used to be. In most cities it's not safe to let kids walk the streets by themselves. Your best bet is to make sure that an adult is going with them. If you can't take them yourself, see if another parent or two can.
Help your young child pick out or make a costume that will be safe. Make sure that its fire proof or treated with fire retardant. If they are wearing a mask of any kind, make sure that the eye holes are large enough for good peripheral vision.
Know what other activities a child may be attending, such as parties, school or mall functions. If they are going to be at a friend's home, get the phone number and make sure that you've met the parents.
Make sure you set a time that your kids should be home by. Make sure they know how important it is for them to be home on time or to call immediately if something happens and they are going to be delayed.
Kids will be kids. Explain to kids of all ages the difference between tricks and vandalism. Throwing eggs at a house may seem funny but they need to know the other side of the coin as well, that clean up and damages can ruin Halloween for everyone. If they are caught vandalizing, make them clean up the mess they've made.
Some sick people find Halloween a great night to hurt cats. Explain to your kids that animal cruelty of any kind is not acceptable. Kids may already know this one on their own but stress the point that it's not acceptable behavior. Make sure that they know that harming animals is not only morally wrong but punishable by law and will not be tolerated.
Serve your kids a filling meal before trick or treating and they won't be as tempted to eat any candy before they bring it home for you to check. Check your local grocery store or craft store for Halloween cook books full of tasty treats on a horror theme for both kids and adults.
Make sure that if your child is carrying a prop, such as a scythe, butcher knife or a pitchfork, that the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen on. Make sure that costumes won't get in the way when they are walking, which could cause them to trip.
Teach your kids about not getting into strangers cars or talking to strangers, no matter what the person says to them. Explain to them as simply as you can that some adults are bad and want to hurt children, that they should never go into a house that they don\'t know, get into a car or go anywhere with a stranger. Also, tell them what to do should this happen, to scream as loud as they can to draw attention and to run away as fast as they can to someplace safe.
Be sure to show your children know how to cross a street properly. They should always look both ways before crossing the street and should only cross at corners or crosswalks. Make sure that if you have more than one child, they know to take the hand of the younger child when they cross a street.
Make Halloween a fun, safe and happy time for your kids and they'll carry on the tradition that you taught them to their own families some day!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Halloween Tips for Children from the Maryland State Police
Here are some tips that we have just for you kids, to help keep you safe on Halloween night! Some of these ideas are called "common sense"ideas that mean that they are things that you should know and use every day in life. You are never too young to learn!
Never, ever go into a stranger's house or even ring their door for treats unless your parents are with you and say that it's okay. There are some people in life that aren't very nice to kids and you have to be careful. Always make sure that your mom or dad is within sight when you go out trick-or-treating.
Be careful when you cross a street. Make sure to look in both directions and make sure that there are no cars coming. If you have a little brother or sister with you, take their hand and help them get across the street, too. If the street has a stop light, wait until the cross walk light tells you that it's okay to cross now, but still check before you cross, look both ways.
If you are an older kid or young teen, and going out with friends, make sure that your parents know where you are going and who you are going with. This may seem like a pain but they are your parents and they love you. They just want you to be safe.
If you can drive and are taking a bunch of friends to a party, make sure that you have enough gas to get there. You don't want to run out on a dark street, all alone, like a bad horror movie!
If your parents give you a curfew, be home when they say. It builds trust between you and them and they are doing it for your own safety. If you are going to be late, call them and let them know.
Vandalism is never cool! Throwing eggs at cars and houses is not cool. Someone has to clean it up and it could be you, if you get caught. You can also be arrested and punished as a juvenile. So, don't think that it's fun only if you can get away with it. It'S never the right thing to do! Think about how you would feel if someone did that to your house and how bad it would make you feel.
Hurting animals is never acceptable behavior! Some people use Halloween as an excuse to hurt cats and that is just wrong! Not only is it illegal in most places to hurt or torture animals and punishable by law, you should never hurt a helpless living thing.
Have fun on Halloween but keep it safe, have some good, clean fun and your parents will trust you for many Halloweens to come! Showing them how responsible you can be will give you a feeling of pride and make them see just how adult you really are.
Here are some tips that we have just for you kids, to help keep you safe on Halloween night! Some of these ideas are called "common sense"ideas that mean that they are things that you should know and use every day in life. You are never too young to learn!
Never, ever go into a stranger's house or even ring their door for treats unless your parents are with you and say that it's okay. There are some people in life that aren't very nice to kids and you have to be careful. Always make sure that your mom or dad is within sight when you go out trick-or-treating.
Be careful when you cross a street. Make sure to look in both directions and make sure that there are no cars coming. If you have a little brother or sister with you, take their hand and help them get across the street, too. If the street has a stop light, wait until the cross walk light tells you that it's okay to cross now, but still check before you cross, look both ways.
If you are an older kid or young teen, and going out with friends, make sure that your parents know where you are going and who you are going with. This may seem like a pain but they are your parents and they love you. They just want you to be safe.
If you can drive and are taking a bunch of friends to a party, make sure that you have enough gas to get there. You don't want to run out on a dark street, all alone, like a bad horror movie!
If your parents give you a curfew, be home when they say. It builds trust between you and them and they are doing it for your own safety. If you are going to be late, call them and let them know.
Vandalism is never cool! Throwing eggs at cars and houses is not cool. Someone has to clean it up and it could be you, if you get caught. You can also be arrested and punished as a juvenile. So, don't think that it's fun only if you can get away with it. It'S never the right thing to do! Think about how you would feel if someone did that to your house and how bad it would make you feel.
Hurting animals is never acceptable behavior! Some people use Halloween as an excuse to hurt cats and that is just wrong! Not only is it illegal in most places to hurt or torture animals and punishable by law, you should never hurt a helpless living thing.
Have fun on Halloween but keep it safe, have some good, clean fun and your parents will trust you for many Halloweens to come! Showing them how responsible you can be will give you a feeling of pride and make them see just how adult you really are.
Never, ever go into a stranger's house or even ring their door for treats unless your parents are with you and say that it's okay. There are some people in life that aren't very nice to kids and you have to be careful. Always make sure that your mom or dad is within sight when you go out trick-or-treating.
Be careful when you cross a street. Make sure to look in both directions and make sure that there are no cars coming. If you have a little brother or sister with you, take their hand and help them get across the street, too. If the street has a stop light, wait until the cross walk light tells you that it's okay to cross now, but still check before you cross, look both ways.
If you are an older kid or young teen, and going out with friends, make sure that your parents know where you are going and who you are going with. This may seem like a pain but they are your parents and they love you. They just want you to be safe.
If you can drive and are taking a bunch of friends to a party, make sure that you have enough gas to get there. You don't want to run out on a dark street, all alone, like a bad horror movie!
If your parents give you a curfew, be home when they say. It builds trust between you and them and they are doing it for your own safety. If you are going to be late, call them and let them know.
Vandalism is never cool! Throwing eggs at cars and houses is not cool. Someone has to clean it up and it could be you, if you get caught. You can also be arrested and punished as a juvenile. So, don't think that it's fun only if you can get away with it. It'S never the right thing to do! Think about how you would feel if someone did that to your house and how bad it would make you feel.
Hurting animals is never acceptable behavior! Some people use Halloween as an excuse to hurt cats and that is just wrong! Not only is it illegal in most places to hurt or torture animals and punishable by law, you should never hurt a helpless living thing.
Have fun on Halloween but keep it safe, have some good, clean fun and your parents will trust you for many Halloweens to come! Showing them how responsible you can be will give you a feeling of pride and make them see just how adult you really are.
Here are some tips that we have just for you kids, to help keep you safe on Halloween night! Some of these ideas are called "common sense"ideas that mean that they are things that you should know and use every day in life. You are never too young to learn!
Never, ever go into a stranger's house or even ring their door for treats unless your parents are with you and say that it's okay. There are some people in life that aren't very nice to kids and you have to be careful. Always make sure that your mom or dad is within sight when you go out trick-or-treating.
Be careful when you cross a street. Make sure to look in both directions and make sure that there are no cars coming. If you have a little brother or sister with you, take their hand and help them get across the street, too. If the street has a stop light, wait until the cross walk light tells you that it's okay to cross now, but still check before you cross, look both ways.
If you are an older kid or young teen, and going out with friends, make sure that your parents know where you are going and who you are going with. This may seem like a pain but they are your parents and they love you. They just want you to be safe.
If you can drive and are taking a bunch of friends to a party, make sure that you have enough gas to get there. You don't want to run out on a dark street, all alone, like a bad horror movie!
If your parents give you a curfew, be home when they say. It builds trust between you and them and they are doing it for your own safety. If you are going to be late, call them and let them know.
Vandalism is never cool! Throwing eggs at cars and houses is not cool. Someone has to clean it up and it could be you, if you get caught. You can also be arrested and punished as a juvenile. So, don't think that it's fun only if you can get away with it. It'S never the right thing to do! Think about how you would feel if someone did that to your house and how bad it would make you feel.
Hurting animals is never acceptable behavior! Some people use Halloween as an excuse to hurt cats and that is just wrong! Not only is it illegal in most places to hurt or torture animals and punishable by law, you should never hurt a helpless living thing.
Have fun on Halloween but keep it safe, have some good, clean fun and your parents will trust you for many Halloweens to come! Showing them how responsible you can be will give you a feeling of pride and make them see just how adult you really are.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Follow Up: Transcript of Police Chief's Online Discussion About Serial Burglaries
Fairfax County has posted the transcript here.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Police Chief: Taking Questions on Recent Serial Burglaries
Please join Police Chief Dave Rohrer and Crime Prevention Officer Pat Lucas for a live discussion/question and answer session, regarding the recent serial burglaries in our community. You may also submit questions in advance at this link. The discussion takes place Friday, October 8 at 1:30 p.m.
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/askfairfax/
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/askfairfax/
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
CAI, Community Associations Oppose FHFA Transfer Fee Ban
ALEXANDRIA, VA, OCT. 4, 2010—As many as 11 million homeowners would find it difficult to sell their homes if the federal government moves forward with plans to ban so-called private transfer fees, according to Community Associations Institute (CAI).
A government ban could wreak havoc in already distressed housing markets. That’s because a draft regulation issued by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) in August would ban federal mortgage underwriters from purchasing any loan on a property with a deed-based transfer fee. Such fees are recorded on the property title and bind subsequent purchasers.
Recently, these fees have become popular with private investment companies, which use deeds to require a purchaser to pay a percentage of the sales price to outside investors. The FHFA actions are seen as an attempt to curb this growing and controversial practice.
However, the fees also have been used by community associations for decades to help fund reserve accounts or community improvement projects.
“We agree that private transfer fees should get regulatory scrutiny,” said CAI Chief Executive Officer Thomas M. Skiba, CAE. “The problem is that the FHFA regulation would apply to any and all deed-based fees. If implemented as drafted, it would be catastrophic.”
Close to half (49 percent) of the 1,252 communities responding to a CAI survey in September have deed-based fees. Extrapolating from that data, CAI estimates that as many as 11 million homes nationally are located in communities that rely on deed-based transfer fees.
Under the FHFA proposal, these homes would no longer be able to qualify for mortgages backed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or any federal home loan bank, which account for up to 90 percent of all residential mortgages.
In addition, most community associations would be unable to comply with the proposed rule. That’s because changing deed restrictions typically requires approval of two-thirds or more of all homeowners, which is difficult to achieve.
The transfer fees charged by community associations are nominal, ranging from a fixed fee (averaging $750) to a percentage of the sales price (averaging 0.25 percent). Also, such funds have allowed financially strapped community associations keep monthly assessments low.
CAI hopes to persuade the FHFA to change its proposal to allow community associations or other organizations to charge fees that directly benefit their communities. The draft regulation is supported by Realtors who want to ban all deed-based transfer fees, and it is opposed by investors, who seek to create new sources of revenue. The public comment period ends Oct. 15.
Learn more about this issue in the Heads Up section of the CAI website.
CAI is a 30,000-member, national association dedicated to fostering successful community associations. Working in partnership with almost 60 state and regional chapters, CAI provides information, education and resources to associations and the professionals who support them. Our mission is to inspire professionalism, effective leadership and responsible citizenship, ideals reflected in communities that are preferred places to call home. Visit www.caionline.org or call (888) 224-4321.
A government ban could wreak havoc in already distressed housing markets. That’s because a draft regulation issued by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) in August would ban federal mortgage underwriters from purchasing any loan on a property with a deed-based transfer fee. Such fees are recorded on the property title and bind subsequent purchasers.
Recently, these fees have become popular with private investment companies, which use deeds to require a purchaser to pay a percentage of the sales price to outside investors. The FHFA actions are seen as an attempt to curb this growing and controversial practice.
However, the fees also have been used by community associations for decades to help fund reserve accounts or community improvement projects.
“We agree that private transfer fees should get regulatory scrutiny,” said CAI Chief Executive Officer Thomas M. Skiba, CAE. “The problem is that the FHFA regulation would apply to any and all deed-based fees. If implemented as drafted, it would be catastrophic.”
Close to half (49 percent) of the 1,252 communities responding to a CAI survey in September have deed-based fees. Extrapolating from that data, CAI estimates that as many as 11 million homes nationally are located in communities that rely on deed-based transfer fees.
Under the FHFA proposal, these homes would no longer be able to qualify for mortgages backed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or any federal home loan bank, which account for up to 90 percent of all residential mortgages.
In addition, most community associations would be unable to comply with the proposed rule. That’s because changing deed restrictions typically requires approval of two-thirds or more of all homeowners, which is difficult to achieve.
The transfer fees charged by community associations are nominal, ranging from a fixed fee (averaging $750) to a percentage of the sales price (averaging 0.25 percent). Also, such funds have allowed financially strapped community associations keep monthly assessments low.
CAI hopes to persuade the FHFA to change its proposal to allow community associations or other organizations to charge fees that directly benefit their communities. The draft regulation is supported by Realtors who want to ban all deed-based transfer fees, and it is opposed by investors, who seek to create new sources of revenue. The public comment period ends Oct. 15.
Learn more about this issue in the Heads Up section of the CAI website.
CAI is a 30,000-member, national association dedicated to fostering successful community associations. Working in partnership with almost 60 state and regional chapters, CAI provides information, education and resources to associations and the professionals who support them. Our mission is to inspire professionalism, effective leadership and responsible citizenship, ideals reflected in communities that are preferred places to call home. Visit www.caionline.org or call (888) 224-4321.
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