Police Offer Halloween Safety Precautions

The El Cerrito police department on Tuesday issued a community notice with suggestions for having a safe Halloween.

Here is the police advisory:

Halloween Safety Tips and Events

Halloween Haunted Carnival & Haunted House 
Wednesday October 31, 2012 
2:30pm – 7:00pm 
El Cerrito Community Center 

Make sure to stop by the El Cerrito Police Department’s table and pick up your reflective trick-or-treating bag! 

The El Cerrito Police Department encourages safety and supervision during the annual Trick-or-Treat season. To make Halloween a treat, follow these safety tips: 

Tips for a Safe Halloween 

PARENTS 
• Always escort your children and carry a flashlight. 
• Be familiar with the neighborhood where your children will be trick-or-treating. 
• Set a specific time for your child/children to be out. 
• Always know who is trick-or-treating with your children. 
• Walk on the sidewalks and not in the middle of the street. 
• Instruct your children NEVER to enter any homes. 
• Stay in well-lighted areas. 
• Inspect all treats before allowing children to eat them. 
• Choose fireproof comfortable costumes made of light colored material so they can be easily seen in the dark. 
• Consider placing reflective or glow in the dark tape on your children’s costumes. 
• Have children avoid wearing eye makeup or masks, which will restrict their vision. 
• Avoid having children carry replica firearms, swords, or toys which can be mistaken for the real thing. 
• Give out only commercially wrapped candy. 
• Teach children their home and/or parent’s cellular phone number in case they get lost. 
• Consider a Halloween party at your residence instead of going out to trick-or-treat. 

TRICK-OR-TREATERS 
• Do not trick-or-treat by yourself. 
• If props are carried, they should be made of soft rubber, Styrofoam, or other pliable material. 
• Do not take short cuts, especially through alleys. 
• Obey all traffic signals and look in all directions when crossing the street. 
• Don’t run! Walk to your intended destination and don’t dart in and out of cars or driveways. If there are no side-walks stay as far left of the roadway as possible. 
• Walk in the direction facing traffic. 
• Only trick-or-treat at homes with their porch light on. Never approach a car offering candy. 
• Wait until you get home before eating any treats. 

HOMEOWNERS 
• Turn on your porch light so children know it is all right to visit your home.
• If you are placing a Jack-O-Lantern on your porch, place a glow stick inside instead of a candle. 
• Hand out only commercially wrapped candy. 
• Never invite children into your home. 
• Keep pets away from children. 
• Maintain clear walkways that are free from obstruction. 
• If using candles, keep them away from the path of children. 
• Immediately notify law enforcement of any suspicious activity. 

MOTORISTS 
• Drive slowly and cautiously. 
• Look for children walking on the street, running, and darting in between parked vehicles. 
• Be extra careful when entering and exiting driveways. 
• Avoid using your cell phone while driving because it will cause a distraction 
• Play your music at a reasonable volume so you can listen for potential children crossing your path. 
• Never drink and drive.