As Halloween approaches, the air is filled with excitement and anticipation for spooky costumes, jack-o’-lanterns, and, of course, the ever-popular trick-or-treating! But amidst the fun, it’s crucial to remember the importance of safety for all our little ghouls and goblins. That’s why EPIC-FSC, your friendly neighborhood Fire Safe Council, is offering these helpful tips that can help ensure this Halloween is not only fun but safe for all residents and our surrounding communities.

Trick-or-Treating Tips:

1. Buddy System: Always go trick-or-treating with a friend or family member. There’s safety in numbers, and it’s more fun too!
2. Well-Lit Paths: Stick to well-lit streets and use flashlights or glow sticks to make yourselves visible to passing cars. Reflective tape on costumes is a great idea!
3. Inspect Treats: Before indulging in the sweet spoils of your adventure, carefully inspect all candy and treats to ensure they are sealed and unaltered.
4. Respect Others: Be mindful of others’ property and respect their boundaries. Always use sidewalks and cross streets at designated crosswalks.
5. Costume Safety: Make sure costumes are fire-resistant and allow for good visibility. Masks should not obstruct your vision, or better yet, consider using face paint. Costumes that drag on the ground can cause a “trip and fall” accident. 

The “scares” should all be fun, not too frightening. Remember to watch out for all kinds of vehicular traffic – bikes and motorized scooters. It’s a good idea to stick to one side of the street then cross over once and cover the other side – don’t run back and forth to limit safety risks.

Let’s keep this Halloween season fun, safe, and full of spooktacular memories for everyone. Feel free to share these tips with your neighbors, and let’s ensure that the only scares this Halloween come from the costume choices!

Have a fa-boo-lous Halloween!

EPIC-FSC is committed to making Calabasas and its surrounding communities safer and more resilient in the face of emergencies, like wildfires and earthquakes. Halloween safety is just one piece of the puzzle in our larger mission. Please see our library of resources for more information on how to prepare for emergencies or be involved in our community initiatives.