CDC: Halloween Safety Tips

With Hallow's Eve just two weeks away, health officials are reminding parents and trick-or-treaters to stay safe on the spooky night.

In Hermosa Beach, "traditionally, no major accidents have occurred on Halloween," Hermosa police Lt. Garth Gaines . But it's still recommended for families to be mindful of safety.

Here is what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest parents keep in mind this Halloween:

• Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
• Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
• Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
• Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.    
• Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.
• Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation.
• Look both ways before crossing the street, and use established crosswalks wherever possible.
• Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
• Only walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
• Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
• Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know the cook well.
• Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Otherwise, stay outside.
• Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

— Tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Editor's Note: Don't forget that the annual Halloween Carnival at Hermosa Valley School takes place on Oct. 28 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. for local families. Tickets are on sale at both Hermosa View and Valley schools (see accompanying announcement under photo.)