Lake Elsinore Police Doing Overtime On Halloween; Fire Officials At The Ready

The Lake Elsinore Police Department will be deploying additional officers on overtime this Halloween night, supporting routine traffic and patrol officers, while focusing on impaired driving and community safety, a department official announced Tuesday.

“Police officers will have a ‘zero tolerance’ response toward impaired drivers who fail to use a designated sober driver,” said Sgt. Peter Giannakakos of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

“Everybody enjoys celebrating Halloween, but nobody should drive drunk during the celebration, especially with so many children walking the street,” he said.

“Halloween night is traditionally a favorite for children and families, however it is also a night out with expected dangers when someone chooses to drink and drive,” the sergeant continued. “Party hosts, bars and restaurants this year must be sure to plan and promote designating sober drivers in advance.”

The Lake Elsinore Police Department recommends the following for families who are trick-or-treating:

• Stay visible and wear reflective costume material while  trick-or-treating during hours of darkness
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don't hesitate to report them - Call 911
• Children should never be left unsupervised

In addition to the Lake Elsinore Police Department, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department officials are urging that parents take common-sense precautions this Halloween.

According to Chief John Hawkins, the occurrence of fire increases around Halloween due to the use of candles as decorations. Halloween decorations are the cause of over 1,000 homes fires each year, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department is reminding parents to practice these simple safety precautions:

Costumes

· Purchase costumes made of flame resistant or retardant material. Fire resistant does not mean fire proof.

· Apply reflective tape to Halloween costumes.

· Consider using make-up instead of masks which can obstruct vision.

· Avoid loose and baggy sleeves. Stay away from billowing or long trailing fabric.

· Keep hemlines short enough to prevent tripping.

Decorations

· Light jack-o-lanterns with a battery powered light – NEVER use candles!

· Instruct children to stay away from open flames. Be sure they know how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire.

· Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources including light bulbs and heaters.

· Keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes.

Trick-or-Treating

· Children should always go trick-or-treating with a responsible adult.

· If driving, be sure to watch for trick-or-treaters who are too busy to watch for you.

· Provide children with flashlights or glow sticks to carry for lighting and visibility.

· Do not allow children to carry sharp sticks or other objects that could cause injury to others.

· Keep your yard free of tripping hazards, such as tools, hoses, etc.

Remember to closely inspect all candy before allowing children to eat it, discarding any unwrapped treats. If in doubt, throw it out!