The Austin Police Department (APD) encourages safety and supervision for children during the year, especially on Halloween. Here are a few safety precautions parents can follow as children take to neighborhood streets for trick-or-treating.

• Know your trick-or-treater's route.
• Take a flashlight.
• Be sure costumes, shoes, and treat bags are safe.
• Remind children not to enter a stranger's home or car.
• Set rules about not eating treats until your children are home.
• Inspect all treats before allowing kids to eat them.
• Candy that has been opened should be thrown away.
• Any homemade treats or fruit should be inspected closely.
• Remember drivers have a hard time seeing people, especially at dusk.
• Never cross the street from between parked cars.
• Watch open flames from jack-o-lanterns as they present a fire hazard for costumes and long wigs. Review the "stop, drop and roll" procedure in case your costume catches on fire.
• Only visit well-lit houses. Don't stop at dark houses.
• Don't enter any homes unless you know the people.
• Carry a spare Halloween bag -- in case it breaks, or your original one is filled.
• Make sure fake knives, swords, and guns are made from cardboard or other flexible materials to avoid accidental injury or worse - having them mistaken for the real thing.
• Don't cut across yards. Use sidewalks and stay out of back yards.
• Follow traffic signals and do not jaywalk or cross at mid-block.
• Always watch for cars backing up or turning.
• Never accept rides from strangers.
• Respect other people and their property.
• Be polite and say, "thank you”.

It is also important to ensure that your home is safe and accessible to trick-or-treaters. Below are some very simple steps to make the evening safe for everyone:

• Turn on your porch light.
• Remove objects from your yard that might present a hazard.
• Drive slowly all evening.  You never know what little “creature” may suddenly cross your path.
• Report any suspicious or criminal activity to the police.
• For adults celebrating Halloween, there are some things to consider when wearing that "perfect" costume.
• Make sure any accessories, such as fake guns, knives, and other potentially dangerous items are not mistaken for the real thing.
• Fire safety and visibility are important for adult costumes. Apply the same standards to adult costumes as you do to your children's.
• Remember adults that are dressed up can be scary to young children.
• Make sure to plan a safe ride to and from Halloween festivities.

The Austin Police Department wants to ensure a safe evening for those celebrating Halloween on Sixth Street. Due to expected large crowds on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, Sixth Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from Brazos to Red River streets. Cross streets will be closed between Fifth and Seventh streets.
 
Closures should be completed by 8 p.m. and towing of vehicles parked on Sixth Street and cross streets (Brazos, San Jacinto, Trinity, Neches, Red River and Sabine) will begin at 6 p.m.
 
Owners of vehicles towed during this time should locate their vehicle using Auto Return’s website (www.autoreturn.com) and have their license plate or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) available.
 
The IH-35 southbound 8th – 3rd Street exit and the IH-35 northbound 6th Street exit may also be closed.
Additional IH-35 exit ramps may be closed depending on the amount of vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the 6th Street area. Closures are dictated by crowd size to ensure pedestrian safety.
              
APD reminds our community members planning to be on Sixth Street that: 

• No illegal weapons of any type will be allowed. Anyone with illegal items will be subject to arrest and property seized.
• Open containers of alcohol are prohibited on Sixth Street
• Glass containers are prohibited on Sixth Street
• This past April 2024, the city launched Sip Safely, a pilot program designed to raise awareness about the crime of drink spiking.
• Drink spiking is the act of adding additional alcohol or drugs to a drink without the knowledge of the person consuming it.
• And a spiked drink makes the person drinking it susceptible to criminal acts including sexual assault and robbery.   

Here are some ways to protect yourself and others from drink spiking:   

• Never leave your drink unattended
• Watch your drink being poured
• Be cautious about taking a drink from someone you don’t know
• Use a drink cover
• Watch out for others in your party 

Remember, an individual who consumes a spiked drink will show symptoms within 10 to 30 minutes. These may include: 

• Inability to clearly communicate
• Poor coordination or vision
• Hallucinations/paranoia
• Confusion/disorientation
• Nausea/vomiting
• Unconsciousness

Lastly, don’t drink and drive. Make sure to plan a safe ride to and from Halloween festivities. APD will be conducting a NO REFUSAL initiative.