Halloween Safety:
Following a few simple safety steps at Halloween time can greatly reduce the likelihood of an accident or unfortunate incident. Some of the following safety tips are recognized and put forth by the National Safety Council, while others were established by your Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department:
- Trick-or-treat only in your own neighborhood, on well-lighted streets.
- Have your parent or older brother or sister go with you.
- Throw away any candy or food that is not wrapped by the candy company.
- If there are any suspicious treats, notify the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station.
- We recommend trick-or-treating at a local organized function, such as those provided by the Valencia Westfield Town Center Mall.
- Other local events, such as the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Haunted Jailhouse, can offer fun and safe ways to enjoy Halloween.
Motorists:
Motorists should be especially alert on Halloween:
- Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.
- Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
- At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.
Parents:
Before children start out on their "trick or treat" rounds, parents should:
- Make sure an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for children under age 12.
- Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names and contact information of older children's companions.
- Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.
- Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a strangers home.
- Establish a return time.
- Tell you youngsters not to eat any treat until they return home.
- Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian,/traffic safety rules.
- Pin a slip of paper with the child's name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group.
Children should understand and follow these rules:
- Don not enter home or apartment without adult supervision.
- Walk, do not run, from house to house. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards.
- Walk on sidewalks, not in the street.
- Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.
- Do not enter dark yards or fenced areas as there may be dogs or other household hazards.
Costume Design:
Parents should consider the following costume safety information:- Only fire-retardent materials should be used for costumes.
- Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath.
- Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard (falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries at Halloween).
- If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light colored materials. Strips of retroreflective tape should be used to make children visible.
Face Design:
- Masks can obstruct a child's vision. Use face make-up instead.
- When buying special Halloween makeup, check for packages containing ingredients that are labeled "Made with U.S., "Approved color Additives," "Laboratory Tested," "Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics," or "Non-Toxic." Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application.
- If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes.
Accessories:
- Knives, swords and other costume accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.
- Bags or sacks carried by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective tape if children are allowed out after dark.
- Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly.
Treats:
To ensure a safe trick-or-treat outing, parents are urged to:- Give children an early meal before going out.
- Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten.
- Wash fruit and slice into small pieces.
- When in doubt, throw it out!
