With the excitement of Halloween, costumed kids sometimes forget their safety rules, which can make the evening dangerous as drivers navigate roads. However, there are a few things parents/guardians, children/teens and motorists can do to make sure everyone celebrates safely.
Parents and Guardians:
- Know who your children are going trick-or-treating with and when they plan to return home.
- Remind children to stay in their neighbourhood.
- Remind children of which houses they can go to for safety if they get scared.
- Remind children to respect others' property by staying off of lawns and gardens and avoiding houses with the lights off.
Children and Teens:
- Do not go trick-or-treating alone; go with a trusted adult or a group.
- Let your parents know where you are going and for how long.
- Stay in your neighbourhood and know where trusted people live so you can go there if you get scared.
- Do not visit houses with the lights off.
- Cross the street at marked crosswalks and intersections.
- Wait for an adult to inspect your candy before eating it.
- Only eat things that are in unopened wrappers.
- When you get home, keep your treats in a safe spot, away from small children and pets.
Motorists:
- Drive slowly, especially in residential areas.
- Approach intersections with extreme caution.
- Limit distractions in your vehicle in case you need to react quickly.
- If possible, avoid driving through subdivisions and areas full of trick-or-treaters.
Costume Tips:
- Wear light coloured or bright costumes, reflective tape and arm bands to increase visibility.
- Wear properly fitted costumes to reduce your chance of tripping.
- Vision can be obstructed by masks. Wear makeup instead or make sure the mask has big enough eye openings to see clearly.
The RCMP wishes everyone a safe, treat-filled Halloween!