It's Halloween: Make it a Safe Venture for Our Most Precious Possesions

Today is the day the country will celebrate 'Halloween.' Children have anxiously awaited this day for at least the past thirty days. Treats and costumes in the zillions have been purchased. Our children will dress in all types of costumes. They will change from those little angelic faces we often see to faces of demons, witches, ghost and numerous other characters for this one night.

Around the country, our little ones, numbering in the millions, will be out on the streets and even some highways tonight enjoying activities while seeing their friends and neighbors as they roam the streets looking for treats. Children will be ringing door bells and when doors open, they will respond with a resounding 'Trick or Treat.'

If you are one of the millions of parents or others out tonight, make this an uneventful night. Do not allow someone to return home without their child. Do not allow someone to return home without their child because the child has been in an accident. Do not allow your child to be one of those accidents, missing or hurt children.

The little lives in our hands tonight are our nation's promise. Some might grow up to find cures for diseases that have plagued our country or the world for ages. Some might be the ones who find a way to heal the land. Some may be the ones that will bring joy to our world that seems to be missing happiness. Some may be the one who will stand on the next platform with promises and fulfill those promises.

Make sure before sending your children out, they are secured with everything you can provide to help them return. If possible, do not allow your children to 'Trick or Treat' without you. And for parents of those who think they are too grown to have their parents out with them, then perhaps they are a little too grown for the event.

When they become too grown for the parents to go out with them, then perhaps a 'Halloween' party is the answer for that 'Trick or Treater.' But for the little one who is still excited about the prospect of their parent taking them around the neighborhood, do just that: Take them around.

And remember to observe the practices that we hope will guarantee a safe Halloween for everyone:

1) Wear bright clothing that reflects light.
2) Travel in groups if possible.
3) Visit only the home that is well lit outside. If the lights are not on and the house is dark, pass on by.
4) Watch your child from the time they head to the door, while getting the candy and returning to you. Even homes that are well lit may have someone with devious plans in mind waiting for the unobservant parent or for the parent who is focused more on themselves than their child.