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Halloween Safety Tips

10/30/2014

Halloween is a fun event for the entire family. Make sure to follow these Halloween safety tips to ensure your Halloween is safe and enjoyable.

Trick or Treating:

Plan your route ahead of time.

Trick or treat in familiar neighborhoods.

Carry a flashlight with new batteries after dark.

Always trick or treat in groups with an adult.

Stay on sidewalks and out of streets.

Cross only at designated crosswalks. Obey all pedestrian laws

Walk. Do not run. Use the sidewalk.

Watch out for open flames in jack-o-lanterns.

Walk with your head up and be aware of your surroundings.

Only visit well lit houses. Don’t stop at dark houses.

Don’t enter any houses unless you know the people.

Don’t approach unfamiliar pets and animals.

Don’t cut across yards and stay out of backyards.

Follow traffic signals and don’t jaywalk.

Always watch for cars backing up or turning.

Never accept rides from strangers.

Don’t eat any candy until it has been inspected by an adult.

Avoid candy that has loose wrappings or is unwrapped.

Avoid candy that is homemade or has puncture holes.

Teach children their home phone number and make sure they know how to call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

Costume Safety:

Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping.
Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater nighttime visibility.
Secure emergency identification (name, address, phone number) discreetly within Halloween attire or on a bracelet.
When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, look for and purchase only those that have a label indicating they are flame resistant.
Consider a loose-fitting costume to allow for warm clothes to be layered underneath, should the evening be chilly.
If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes. Consider removing the mask when crossing streets for greater visibility.

For Motorists

Drive slowly! Remain cautious and drive slowly through the community.
Look for children walking or running on the street.
Do not use a cell phone while driving.
Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
Do not Drink and Drive!

ALWAYS report any suspicious or criminal activity to an adult or police. “See Something, Say Something” * Emergency 9-1-1 * Non-Emergency: 310-378-4211

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Earthquake Checklist for Residents After Earthquake

Check Yourself for Injuries
Ensure you are ok before tending to others. Cover any wounds with appropriate dressings to prevent possible infection. Ensure your home or building is safe to be in. Check walls, windows, chimneys, and fireplaces for cracks or broken debris. Sparking outlets are a sign of electrical issues and you should evacuate immediately. Do not re-enter the building until it has been cleared by officials. Never enter a home that looks damaged or structurally unsafe. Buildings that survived the initial earthquake may collapse with the subsequent aftershocks.

Stay off the Phone
Only use the phone to dial 911 for life threatening emergencies. Phone lines are overwhelmed and should be left open for those who need immediate help. If you need to notify family members or communicate to let others know you are ok, text messaging requires less bandwidth and are more likely to go through.

Don't Turn Off the Gas Unless You Suspect a Leak
Check for a gas leak. If you suspect a leak and you can safely do so, turn off the main gas line by finding the gas shut off valve and evacuate the building or home. If you can hear gas, smell gas, or see a broken gas line, evacuate the building immediately and call 911. However, the gas company is the only one that can turn your gas back on, so do not shut off the gas valve near the gas meter if you do not suspect a leak.

Dress Appropriately
Wear pants and close toed shoes before walking around your home to inspect for damages. Items may have fallen and broken and you can prevent many injuries by providing one more layer of protection.

Stay Away from Downed or Damaged Power Lines
Never touch wires lying on the ground or hanging from poles. Downed wires could kill you if touched. Call 911 to report them immediately.

Document Everything
Take pictures of your home and personal belongings. It will help with insurance claims after an earthquake. If you have pre-disaster pictures include them in your disaster kit. It's hard to explain what something looked like after it's destroyed.

For more information visit http://www.calema.ca.gov

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Halloween Safety Tips

Earthquake Checklist

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