The National Alert Registry at RegisteredOffendersList.org has developed resources for parents to help protect their children from registered sex offenders this Halloween. In a four-step preparedness program, The National Alert Registry provides parents with tools for: Step 1: Being Prepared Plan a route that your children should follow if they are trick or treating. Get a free Child ID Kit to help authorities identify your child in case of an emergency. Step 2: Being Involved Know who your children are taking with them when they go trick or treating. Always make sure there is a trustworthy, responsible adult with the group. Step 3: Being Aware Schedule curfews for your children to return from trick or treating. Have set times when your children check in with you while trick or treating. Print the list of emergency parent resources and hang it on the refrigerator. Print a map of the registered sex offenders in your area using the resources at the National Alert Registry. Step 4: Being Informed Know where the sex predators are in your neighborhood. Watch for signs posted in many states by law enforcement officials that say "No Candy at This Residence". You can become a "Red Alert" member of the National Alert Registry and add a map for the from which your child will begin trick or treating. There are at least 10 states that have passed "No Candy" laws that restrict sex offenders from participating in Halloween activities. Some states that have No Candy laws are Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, New York, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, New Jersey, and Delaware. In New York, Operation Halloween: Zero Tolerance uses investigators that make unannounced home visits, curfew checks, and phone calls to enforce the sex offender No Candy laws. In most cases, these states require that "No Candy at This Residence" signs be posted in sex offenders' yards, prohibit sex offenders from attending Halloween parties or activities, and prohibit sex offenders from being on the streets during peak trick or treating times. Some states prohibit sex offenders from wearing costumes or masks and require that they stay at home from the afternoon of Halloween through the next morning. The National Alert Registry offers these 5 tips for keeping your kids safe from sex predators & registered sex offenders: 1. Teach your kids that they should avoid strangers 2. Teach your kids what behaviors are inappropriate from adults and peers 3. Teach them it is OK to talk about anything that bothers them including sexual abuse 4. Teach your kids about dangerous houses, parks, or other areas in your neighborhood 5. Create a system so that kids never take a ride with someone claiming to be a friend or relative Source: 4 Steps to Help Protect Your Children This Halloween http://www.registeredoffenderslist.org/halloween.htm