With Halloween fast approaching, Hope and Boston Bar RCMP and Victim Services have been out in schools sharing tips on how to stay safe and providing “BE SEEN BE SAFE” stickers to every child in attendance.
Many people enjoy transforming their homes into eerie scenes. However, residents are reminded to keep the path leading up to their door free of obstacles for trick or treaters, especially those with masks and limited vision.
Safety should also be top of mind picking out a costume. Here are some tips:
• Wear a light-coloured or bright costume, reflective tape or arm bands to heighten visibility
• Wear a costume that is properly fitted to reduce the chance of tripping on it
• Select a costume that is constructed from flame-retardant materials
• Shoes should fit properly even if they do not go well with a costume
• If a child’s costume requires the use of props, such as a flexible-plastic sword, make sure the sharp tip is cut or filed round
• Accessorize with a flashlight
• Make sure your vision is not restricted. Consider completing your costume with make-up rather than masks. Masks may require that the eye-holes be cut larger for the sake of good peripheral vision.
Before kids hit the streets, parents should be aware of the route their children plan to follow. If you are unable to take them out yourself, consider asking another parent, an older sibling or babysitter to do the honours for you.
Ensuring your child is wearing a watch also allows you to establish an agreed upon curfew. Children should also be able to recognize the places along his/her route where they can obtain help, for example the police station, fire station or any other well indicated public place. Tick or treaters should stay on the sidewalks, and if there is no sidewalk, walk on the left-hand side of the street facing traffic.
Although tampering of loot is rare, children should be reminded that they must have their candy inspected by their parents or guardian prior to eating them.
Other Halloween reminders:
• Before lighting candles in your pumpkin, consider using safety glow sticks
• Fireworks are strictly prohibited by law in the District of Hope
• Vandalism is against the law and has consequences
• Keep pets indoors to protect them from Halloween hazards
•Do not cut across lawns or take short-cuts
• Take masks off when walking from one house to the next