Ten Things Parents Can Do To Make Halloween Safer

"The Mentalist" Actor Tim Kang Tells Parents How They Can Build Safety into Halloween This Year
 
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 17, 2011 - Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year for children, but sometimes the most hectic for parents.  Nearly 94 percent of children between the ages of four and twelve participate in Halloween activities each year.  Tim Kang, actor from the hit CBS show The Mentalist has partnered with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) to help educate parents about what they should be telling their children to keep them safe.  Parents need to take a moment to consider basic safety precautions that will make Halloween a safer night of fun.

• CHOOSE bright, flame-retardant costumes or add reflective tape to costumes and candy bags so children are easily seen in the dark.  In addition, carry a glow stick or flashlight. 
• PLAN a trick-or-treating route in familiar neighborhoods with well-lit streets.  Avoid unfamiliar neighborhoods, streets that are isolated, or homes that are poorly lit inside or outside.
• NEVER send young children out alone.  They should always be accompanied by a parent or another trusted adult.  Older children should always travel in groups.
• ALWAYS walk younger children to the door to receive treats and don't let children enter a home unless you are with them.
• BE SURE children do not approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless you are with them.
• DISCUSS basic pedestrian safety rules that children should use when walking to and from houses.
• CONSIDER organizing a home or community party as an alternative to "trick-or-treating."
• MAKE sure children know their home phone number and address in case you get separated.  Teach children how to call 911 in an emergency.
• TEACH children to say "NO!" or "this is not my mother/father" in a loud voice if someone tries to get them to go somewhere, accept anything other than a treat, or leave with them.  And teach them that they should make every effort to get away by kicking, screaming and resisting.
• REMIND children to remain alert and report suspicious incidents to parents and/or law enforcement.

"Child safety is vital year round, but Halloween is an especially important time for parents and children to pay extra attention to their surroundings and not let their guard down," said actor Tim Kang a spokesperson for NCMEC. "Parents need to exercise a few basic safety precautions to help ensure that Halloween is both fun and safe."

About the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1984.  Designated by Congress to serve as the nation's clearinghouse, the organization has operated the toll-free 24-hour national missing children's hotline which has handled more than 3,421,390 calls.  It has assisted law enforcement in the recovery of more than 166,800 children.  The organization's CyberTipline has handled more than 1,233,990 reports of child sexual exploitation and its Child Victim Identification Program has reviewed and analyzed more than 56,672,970 pornography images and videos.  The organization works in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice's office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.  


About Tim Kang
Tim Kang can currently be seen on the hit CBS drama The Mentalist as straight-arrow investigator "Kimball Cho," a fan favorite on the show. The Mentalist won a 2009 People's Choice Award for "Favorite New TV Drama," and was nominated for a 2009 Television Critics Association Award for "Outstanding New Program of the Year."   Other appearances on popular TV shows include recurring roles in CBS's The Unit and NBC's Third Watch and guest starring on The Office, The Ghost Whisperer, The Sopranos, Monk, Chappelle's Show, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and  Law & Order: Trial By Jury. Tim was also seen in the films Rambo, The Forgotten, Two Weeks Notice and as the star of Mister Green.