Courtesy of Pomona Police Department

Pomona– The Pomona Police Department would like to offer the following simple tips to make Halloween safe and fun:

• Be sure older children take friends and younger children are accompanied by a trusted adult when trick-or-treating.
• Accompany younger children to the door of every home they approach and make sure parents and guardians are familiar with every home and all people from which the children receive treats.
• Teach children to NEVER enter a home without prior permission from their parents or guardians.
• Teach children to NEVER approach a vehicle, occupied or not, unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• Make sure all children wear reflective clothing and carry a glow stick when out at dusk and at night to help drivers see you.
• Teach your children to be aware of drivers on the road before they cross the street. Only walk on sidewalks, use established crosswalks and look both ways before crossing the street to stay safe.
• Make sure children are able to see and breathe properly and easily when using facial masks. All costumes and masks should be clearly marked as flame resistant.
• Teach children to NEVER approach a home that is not well lit both inside and outside.
• Teach children to stay alert for any suspicious incidents and report them to their parents, guardians, and/or the proper authority.
• Teach children if anyone tries to grab them to make a scene: loudly yell, “This person is not my father/mother/guardian,” and make every effort to get away by kicking, screaming, and resisting.
• Consider organizing or attending parties at home, in schools, or in community centers as a good alternative to trick-or-treating.