As the community prepares for Halloween this year, the Culver City Fire Department wants everyone to keep a few safety tips in mind to ensure a fun time for all.
With regards to costumes, people should: purchase costumes made of flame resistant or flame retardant material; when selecting a costume, people should make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls; since masks can obstruct vision, people might consider using make-up instead; parents can decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers; parents can also provide children with glow sticks or flashlights to help them to see, and to be seen by drivers.
With regards to kids going out trick-or-treating, young children should always be with an adult. In addition, trick-ortreaters should: travel in large groups; remind children to cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks, and look left, right, and left again before crossing. Trick-or-treaters should also remember to walk and not run across the street. It is recommended that trick-or-treaters only approach houses that have a porch light on or outside lights on; children should be told to stay away from open flames and be sure they know how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire; parents should closely inspect all candy before allowing children to eat it and if in doubt, throw it out.
For safe decorations, people can keep decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources; use a flashlight or battery-operated candle in jack-o-lanterns, since they are safer; and if welcoming trickor-treaters, make sure there is a clear path to the door and that the porch light is on.
Drivers should be mindful of kids being out celebrating and slow down, be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways. Drivers should also enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully. In order to concentrate in one’s car, eliminate any distractions inside the vehicle. Lastly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
The Culver City Fire Department wishes everyone a safe and fun Halloween! For more Halloween safety ideas, please visit: www.nfpa.org, www. safekids.org, www.cpsc.gov, www.nsc.org.