City of Cerritos logo

Skip to Content | Footer | Accessibility

E-News signup for e-mail/text updates

 

Halloween safety tips

Updated December 23, 2009

Halloween is an exciting time of celebration for both children and adults. The City offers parents and children the following tips to help ensure a safe and festive holiday for all:

  • Consider celebrating Halloween with an organized party as an alternative to having your children go trick-or-treating door-to-door. Activities such as costume contests and bobbing for apples can be planned and supervised, and are a safe way to celebrate. Another option is to attend the City of Cerritos’ annual Halloween Festival on October 31. There is plenty of candy, entertainment and fun for people of all ages.
  • Pay close attention to the costumes that your children will be wearing. Costumes should be non-restrictive to allow free movement and uninhibited vision. They should also be constructed of a fire retardant material. Make sure that masks do not hinder a child’s breathing.
  • If a youngster is going to be outside, provide adequate warm clothing under the costume to protect against the cold weather.
  • Stay in familiar territory such as your own neighborhood. When going door-to-door, travel in groups accompanied by at least one responsible adult.
  • Use flashlights, "Glo-sticks" and lighted wands to help you see and be seen.
  • Avoid homes that are not displaying a porch light; the residents are indicating that they do not want to be disturbed.
  • If you are a resident who will be passing out candy, secure your pets, remove all obstructions from the path to your porch and avoid using any open flame near the door.
  • Use your discretion in determining which homes children should approach.
  • Exercise caution and obey all traffic laws as they relate to pedestrians. Cross at intersections and consider the existing street lighting. Keep your group together while remembering that many children can easily get caught up in the excitement of the evening and be inclined to run ahead of the group.
  • Carefully inspect all items obtained before anything is eaten. Throw away any candy or treat that is not securely wrapped by the manufacturer. Consider only eating candied apples or other homemade treats if you know the person that prepared them.

Back to Article Top