Full Notification

Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year for children, but sometimes hectic for parents and guardians. This Halloween, take a moment to consider basic safety precautions to help make your children’s Halloween a safer night of fun.

Before Halloween...
• Choose bright costumes, and have children carry flashlights or glow sticks so they are easily visible. (Hint – Try adding reflective tape to costumes and candy bags!)
• Plan a trick-or-treating route in familiar neighborhoods with well-lit streets.
• Make sure children know your cell phone number, their home telephone number, and address in case you get separated.
Consider giving them a cell phone so they can reach you easily.
• Teach children how to call 911 in an emergency.
• Teach children to say “NO!” in a loud voice if someone tries to get them to go somewhere, accept anything other than
a treat, or leave with them. Tell them to try everything they can to escape, including yelling, hitting, and kicking.
• Make sure your costume doesn’t drag on the ground and the mask does not obstruct your vision.

On Halloween...
• Make sure older children take friends, stay together while trick-or-treating and have an established curfew.
• Never send younger children out alone – they should be with a parent, guardian, or another trusted adult.
• Watch for children in the street and on medians when driving.
• Walk, don’t run, and obey all traffic signals. Be sure to cross the street at corners.
• Always walk younger children to the door to receive treats.
• Don’t let children enter a home. Additionally, do not invite strangers into your home.
• Be sure children do not approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless you are with them.
• If possible, carry a cell phone and call 911 in an emergency.
• When leaving the house make sure you lock your doors and set your security alarm system.
• Do not eat anything (e.g. candy, baked goods, etc.) unless it is sealed in a manufacturers package.

Families may also choose to participate in a SPOOKTACULAR event at the Youth Activity Center (2450 Cabrillo Avenue) on Halloween from 3:00-6:00pm. Admission is FREE! The party includes entertainment, treats, pumpkin walk, carnival games, tiny tots play area, and arts & crafts. Pre-school age children through 5th grade are welcome and encouraged to come in costume. The Santa Clara Police Department will be represented at the event - come say "boo!" For information about the Halloween Party, please call the Walter E. Schmidt Youth Activity Center at (408) 615-3760.