Child Safety Tips

Use these tips to help keep safe while riding a bicycle.

• Keep your bicycle in good condition (tires, chain and breaks)
• Obey all traffic rules and signs
• Walk your bike across busy intersections
• Always ride with the traffic, as close to the curb as you can
• Be sure the roadway is clear before entering
• Ride your bike in a designated bike lane, if one is available
• Always ride single file and watch for opening car doors
• If you must ride at night, be sure your headlight and reflectors are in good condition
• Select the safest route to your destination
• Always wear a helmet; its the law until you are18 years old
• Only one person is allowed on a bike at any given time
• Headphones covering both ears may not be worn while operating a bike

Children must stay in a car seat until they are six years old or 60 lbs.

• Infant Rear Facing – Newborn to 1 year old and 20 lbs
• Forward Facing – Over 1 year old and 20-40 lbs
• Booster Seats – Minimum 30-40 lbs; Maximum 60-100 lbs (Includes most 4-8 year olds)

Car Seats should only be used when:

• Child’s back and bottom touches the back of the seat
• Child’s knees are bent at a 90 degree angle
• Lap belt fits across the child’s lower hips and tight on the upper thighs
• Shoulder belt fits across the child’s chest
• Head restraint is adjusted properly

Halloween is a fun holiday for the kids throughout Moreno Valley. However, for the parents it can be tricky when insuring the safety of their children.

For the children trick-or-treating...

Costumes: 

• Costumes should be flame retardant and fit properly. 
• Costumes should be made out of light colors or reflective strips across the front and back.
• Accessories such as fake guns, knives or swords should be obviously fake.

Candy

• Never eat until the children get home and the candy is inspected. 
• Never eat candy if the package is partially open or tampered with.

General Safety Tips 

• Be alert to surroundings and report any suspicious activity to Police. 
• Walk on side walks and drive ways whenever possible. Avoid back alleys and short cuts. 
• Cross the street at corners with crosswalks.
• Always travel in groups that are properly supervised by an adult.
• Take frequent breaks to prevent fatigue. 
• Never enter a stranger's house or vehicle without parent's permission. 
• Only accept candy in the doorway of a residence.

For the adults staying home to give out candy...

• Welcome trick or treaters with porch or any other exterior lights on.
• Patrol your street from time to time to discourage speeding motorist, acts of Vandalism or any crimes against children. Report any suspicious activity to the police:
  NON-Emergency - 776-1099 
  Emergency - 911

Attention, companion animal caretakers! The ASPCA would like to call your attention to these common-sense cautions that’ll help keep your pets safe and stress-free this time of year.

• Please don't leave your pet out in the yard on Halloween. There are plenty of stories of vicious pranksters who have teased, injured, stolen, and even killed pets on this night.
• Keep your outdoor cats inside several days before and several days after Halloween. (P.S. It’s also our duty to remind you here that kitties are healthiest and happiest when they live inside ALL year round!)
• No tricks, no treats: That bowlful of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Sammy. Chocolate in all forms can be very dangerous for dogs and cats, and tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed. If you suspect your pet has ingested a potentially dangerous substance, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
• A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise extreme caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.
• Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don't put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume can cause undue stress.
• If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe or bark. Keep a look out for small, dangling, or easily chewed-off pieces on the costume that your pet could choke on.
• Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not obstruct her vision in any way. Even the sweetest animals can get snappy when they can't see.
• All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room during peak trick-or-treat visiting hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.
• When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn't dart outside.
• IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and become lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip increase the chances that he or she will be returned to you.

(Courtesy of the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

Parents, do your children know about the dangers of strangers? Please take a moment to go over these safety tips with your children.

• Explain the parameters of who is a stranger and who is not
• Never take candy, ice cream or money from a stranger
• Never take a ride from a stranger
• If a stranger asks for directions, teach your children to stay away. Strangers should not ask children for assistance
• Never give your name or address to a stranger
• Never open the front door to a stranger or let him/her know that you are alone
• If the stranger will not go away, call 911
• If a stranger follows you or tries to grab you, run away, scream and tell an adult or parent
• Always walk with a friend as there is safety in numbers
• Avoid short cuts and back yards while walking to school

Use these tips to help keep safe while using skates.

• Buy skates with supportive boots and make sure they fit properly
• Conduct frequent safety checks on the skate wheels and bearings
• Be sure you know how to stop
• Practice skating basics before you try complicated moves or tricks
• Avoid crowded sidewalks and be respectful of other people
• Never hitch a ride holding on to a vehicle or bicycle
• Try not to fall on your hands and fall away from other skaters
• Obey all traffic rules and signs

Use these tips to help keep safe while walking to school.

• Discuss safest route to and from school and help map out route
• Talk about the importance of crossing the street at some corners as opposed to others and the use of crosswalks when available.
• Teach children to cooperate with crossing guards and Police
• Walk cross the street, do not run
• Always look both ways before crossing the street
• Go directly to and from school
• Be extra careful during bad weather as motorists may not be able to see you
• If walking after dark can not be avoided, wear light clothing and reflective strips