Safe and Civil City program urges residents to stay safe on Halloween

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 16, 2012

For more information, please contact:
Beverly Calender-Anderson, Safe and Civil City Director, City of Bloomington Department of Community and Family Resources, 349.3560


Safe and Civil City program urges residents to stay safe on Halloween

Bloomington, Ind. - Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids of all ages. As younger children prepare to trick or treat throughout the community, the City of Bloomington reminds everyone of some basic safety tips from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

S - Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible.
A - Avoid trick or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
F - Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help alert drivers.
E - Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them.

H - Hold a flashlight while trick or-treating.
A - Always test makeup in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
L - Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
L - Lower the risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
O - Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible or on the far edge of the road facing traffic.
W - Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls.
E - Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
E - Enter homes only if a trusted adult is present.
N - Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

This year's trick or treat hours for Bloomington are 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31.


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