Bypass Halloween Safety Tips
This afternoon/evening, many will celebrate Halloween where young children dress up in costumes to go from door to door throughout the neighborhood getting treats and candy from neighbors.
It’s all in fun, but fun can turn to tragedy very quickly as the streets are flocked with people. Precautions should be taken to protect the youngsters during the festivities.
Tips for Parents:
- Remind children to look both ways before crossing streets
- Make sure costumes are short enough to avoid tripping
- Try to keep costumes light coloured or add some reflective striping for visibility
- Use face paint instead of masks that can obstruct vision
- Plan a trick or treat route or stick together so nobody gets lost
- Remind children to only accept candy from the doorstep – never enter a stranger’s house orapartment
- Be Alert, Be Aware, and Be Safe!
Tips for Motorists:
- If you do not have to go out on Halloween while kids are trick or treating, then stay home
- Slow down in residential neighborhoods and obey all traffic signs and signals.
- Drive at least 5km/h below the posted speed limit to give yourself extra time to react to children who may dart into the street
- Watch for children walking on roadways, medians, curbs, sidewalks and streets with no sidewalks
- Watch for children crossing streets mid-block/between parked cars who may not be paying attention to traffic
- Carefully enter and exit driveways
- BE CAREFUL BACKING UP! Have someone stand behind the vehicle to make sure that no children are walking by.
- Turn on your headlights to make yourself more visible – even in the daylight
Remember that children can be very unpredictable and may dart out when/where you don’t expect it. Take extra precautions and ensure everyone’s child gets home safely.