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Where Is Your Child Tonight Campaign
WHERE IS YOUR CHILD TONIGHT?
Monday, 26th October 2009
Strabane Community Safety Partnership and Strabane District Council are appealing to young people and their parents and guardians living in Strabane District to help put a stop to the anti-socialbehaviour that is often associated with Halloween in an advertising campaign called ‘Where is your Child Tonight’, which is accompanied by a Halloween Safety Competition and ‘No trick or treat’ posters.
Strabane CSP have utilized many different forms of advertising to publicise the message that collecting for, building and burning bonfires is dangerous. Parents are being encouraged to think about where there child is so that we can help kids celebrate Halloween safely. Advertising methods included advertising panels on Strabane Council vehicles, electronic billboards, telephone kiosks, and fliers distributed through local newspapers.
The campaign includes ‘no trick or treat’ posters and advice on acceptable behavior. Strabane CSP have produced posters for people who do not want to receive callers. Those who do not wish to be visited by ‘Trick or Treat’ callers can display the poster in their window or on their front door and give out a clear message that the householder doesn’t want to be trick or treated this year. ‘No trick or treat’ posters have been made available free and can be obtained from any Post Office within the district OR by contacting Ryan Tracey, Community Safety Officer on 02871 382204.
Strabane CSP would like to remind residents to be aware of the following safety messages:
- You have the right to say no to trick or treater's
- Do not let anyone in your house unless you are happy with their identity
- Always ask for identification from official callers
Councillor Michaela Boyle, Chair of Strabane CSP said “The advertising campaign ‘Where is your Child Tonight’ encourages parental responsibility at a time of year when anti social behaviour is prominent. We don’t want to stop people having fun, but Halloween can be a stressful time for the elderly or anyone living on their own and the trick or treat posters politely ask trick ortreater’snot to call this time.”.
Strabane CSP are also re-running its Halloween safety competition inprimary and post primary schools throughout the District which givespractical safety tips for children who are out ‘trick or treating over the holiday period. Parents/guardians are advised to talk through the idea of 'trick or treat' and make sure that their children do not do anything to either upset or annoy the people that they visit.
- Stress the difference between 'fun' and 'anti-social behavior'.
- A responsible adult should always accompany young children ‘trick or treating’.
- Older children should agree with their parents/guardians in advance where they are going and what form their 'trick or treat' activities will take.
- Some masks can obstruct a child's vision and this is a potential danger, especially if they are crossing roads. Consider using face paints instead.
All 'trick or treater's' should avoid calling on the elderly, vulnerable and at houses that are displaying the no trick or treat sign.
Where is Your Child Tonight Flyer - Click Here
