Halloween can be a scary time. For kids ... it's monsters. For parents ... it's monstrous adults.
Make sure your kids are safe with some of the tips from the Seal Beach Police Department.
And if you're not supervising children, the SBPD has some tips for you, too.
TIPS FOR TRICK-OR-TREATERS
- Know your treaters' route.
- Take a flashlight.
- Be sure costumes, shoes and treat bags are safe.
- Remind kids not to enter strangers' homes or cars.
- Set rules about not eating treats until kids get home. Be sure to 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 can cause costumes and long wigs to catch on fire.
- Make sure that fake knives, swords and guns are made from cardboard or other flexible materials to avoid accidental injury, or worse, have them mistaken for the real thing.
MAKING YOUR HOME SAFE FOR TRICK OR TREATERS
- Turn on your porch light.
- Move lit jack-o-lanterns off the porch where kids get bunched up if they are trick-or-treating ingroups.
- Remove objects from your yard that might present a hazard.
- Drive slowly all evening - you never know what creature may suddenly cross your path.
- Report any suspicious or criminal activity to the police.
