Full Notification

The men and women of the Santa Barbara Police Department wish everyone a Happy Halloween!  Please consider the following safety tips for kids, parents, and pet owners to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Tips for Kids:

• Trick-or-treat with a group of friends
• Hold a flashlight or glow sticks while trick-or-treating
• Walk on the sidewalk and walkways; do not cut across yards
• Use crosswalks and look both ways before crossing the street
• Be careful crossing driveways
• Do not look at electronic devices while walking in the street
• Only accept treats at the front door; do not enter homes
• Be cautious of strangers and animals
• Be cautious around jack-o-lanterns, candles, or other sources of flame
• Only eat treats after they have been inspected by an adult
• Teens, do not share plans on social media and do not meet anyone who approaches you online

• Accompany young children
• Have older children carry a cell phone for quick communication
• Plan a trick-or-treat route
• Apply reflective material to your child’s costume
• Ensure that costumes and shoes fit to avoid trips and falls
• Inspect all candy before it is eaten; be cautious of homemade treats
• Make sure teens do not have access to alcohol, eggs, fireworks, and other instruments of mischief

• Exercise your pet during the day so they are tired during the evening
• Keep pets indoors in an area away from the front door
• Use the TV or radio to mask the sounds of people at the front door
• Cover the doorbell so visitors won’t use it, wait for visitors at the door so they don’t knock
• Give your pet a safe chew toy or treats
• Consider giving them a calming remedy
• Keep candy and glow sticks out of reach
• Make sure pet costumes do not restrict breathing, present choking hazards, and annoy your animal