Santa Ana Police Department Citizen Alert: HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

TRICK OR TREAT

• Meet Trick or Treaters at the door, never encourage children to enter a stranger’s house or invite them into your home.
• Have children go with an adult or an older brother or sister.
• Carry a flashlight, glowstick or reflective bag.
• Walk don’t run. Cross streets only at corners. Never cross the streets between parked cars or in the middle of the street.

COSTUMES

• Keep costumes simple. Long and fancy ones could cause children to trip. Costumes should also be fireproof.
• Costumes should be made of light colored material, so they can easily be seen at night. Reflectorized patches can also be added to the costume.
• Everyday shoes should be worn, as opposed to fancy “clown” or “Pirate” shoes, etc…. shoes are very important and everyday shoes are much safer.
• Props such as toy guns or swords should be made of cardboard or Styrofoam, so they won’t injure if fallen upon.

TREATS

• Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten.
• Give wrapped commercial treats to children. Have parents check all treats before you eat them. Throw away anything unwrapped and check the candy wrappers for signs of tampering.
• Notify the Santa Ana Police Department if harmful items are found, so that other parents may be warned and the people responsible apprehended. (714) 834-4211