Halloween is fun for parents and children!

Parties, Candy, Dress-up Costumes, Games, Music, Festivals, Carnvals… No wonder children love Halloween! Here are some tips to keep it safe,fun and memorable for you and your preschoolers. Happy Halloween!

FUN ALTERNATIVES & ADDITIONS TO TRADITIONAL TRICK OR TREATING:

• Halsey Schools: 10/31 9:00-12:00 Halloween Party and at 10:00 we Parade to the Retirement Center!
• The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum: The Haunted BOO-tanicum: The event includes game booths, ghost stories, haunted house and live music, 4-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28. Tickets $20; $15 ages 13-17; $5 ages 5-12. 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. 310-455-2322. www.theatricum.com.
• Westfield Fashion Square – Halloween Stuntacular: Professional stunt actors show at 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. 10/29-31. Food trucks, carnival games, live music and street performers noon-10 p.m. 10/29 & 30 and 3-10 p.m. 10/31. . www.stuntacular.com.
• Woodland Hills Recreation Center: Halloween family festival for all ages, 2-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31. Free. 818-883-9370.
• Underwood Family Farms Harvest Festival October 1 – 31 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. $3 weekdays, $12 weekends (under 2 years old is free) 3370 Sunset Valley Rd. Moorpark, CA 93021.  805-529-3690
• Westfield Topanga Mall: Halloween Spooktacular: Music, costume contests…10/31 5:00-7:00. 818-594-8740.
• Disneyland: Mickey's Halloween Party. Sold out every day except 10/31!

BEFORE HALLOWEEN:

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective and rated as flame resistent. 
• Make sure costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
• Secure emergency identification (name, address, phone number) discreetly within Halloween attire or on a bracelet.
• Because a mask can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic and hypoallergenic makeup or a decorative hat as a safe alternative.
• Think twice before using simulated knives, guns or swords. If such props must be used, be certain they do not appear authentic and are soft and flexible to prevent injury.
• Take extra effort to eliminate tripping hazards on your porch and walkway. Check around your property for flower pots, low tree limbs, support wires or garden hoses that may prove hazardous to young children rushing from house to house.

BEFORE NIGHTFALL ON HALLOWEEN:

• A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage prescholers from filling up on Halloween treats.
• Plan and review with your children the route and behavior which is acceptable to you.
• Do not permit children to ride tricycles or anything else while trick or treating.

WHEN TRICK-OR-TREATING:

• A Parent or responsible Adult should always accompany preschoolers on their neighborhood rounds.
• Remind Trick-or-Treaters:
  • By using a flashlight, they can see and be seen by others.
  • Stay in a group, walk slowly and communicate where you are going.
  • Only trick-or-treat in well known neighborhoods at homes that have a porch light on.
  • Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
  • If no sidewalk is available, walk at the farthest edge of the roadway facing traffic.
  • Never cut across yards or use alleys.
  • Never enter a stranger's home or car for a treat.
  • Obey all traffic and pedestrian regulations.
  • Always walk. Never run across a street.
  • Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks.
  • Remove any mask or item that will limit eyesight before crossing a street, driveway or alley.
  • Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will.
  • Never consume unwrapped food items or open beverages that may be offered.
  • No treats are to be eaten until they are thoroughly checked by an Adult at home.
  • Law Enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.
• Don't force children to do anything that is too scary for them. A haunted house that parents think is fun could be the most frightening thing on earth to a preschooler. Let your preschooler be your guide.

AFTER TRICK-OR-TREATING:

• Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible Adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
• Try to apportion treats for the days following Halloween.
• Although sharing is encouraged, make sure items that can cause choking (such as hard candies), are given only to those of an appropriate age.
• Some Woodland Hills Dentists are having buy back programs where they will buy bags of candy to encourage better eating habits and dental care. 

Thank you to the LAFD for helping Halsey Schools compile these tips. For more tips please visit the LAFD website.