**** HRP Media Release
Halloween safety tips
Halloween – a night filled with candy, creepy costumes and time with friends – is just around the corner. To ensure that the night is fun and memorable, Halifax Regional Police is sharing these Halloween safety tips:
Trick-or-treaters, parents and guardians:
- Follow normal pedestrian safety rules. Look both ways before crossing the street and watch for vehicles (especially vehicles backing out of driveways).
- Trick-or-treat with people from your household or your close social group; don’t trick-or-treat alone.
- Try to limit criss-crossing the street. Go down one side of the street, then up the other.
- Ensure Halloween costumes are bright, reflective and fit well. Confirm that costumes allow the wearer to see clearly. Consider using face paint or makeup instead of a mask. Wear a non-medical mask if you are trick-or-treating indoors (e.g. an apartment complex).
- Carry a flashlight and stay close to well-lit areas.
- Be sure an adult checks all Halloween candy before trick-or-treaters dig in.
- Trick-or-treaters should tell their parents and/or guardians their Halloween route and when they expect to be home.
- Dress warmly.
- Watch for open flames and be careful around jack-o-lanterns.
- Stay outside while trick-or-treating. Never enter someone’s home.
Motorists:
- With the excitement of Halloween, trick-or-treaters may forget pedestrian safety rules.
- Drive slowly and be careful backing up.
- Drive with extra caution in residential areas.
Homeowners:
- Keep your doorway well-lit; clear of tripping hazards and open flames.
- Give out only commercially wrapped snacks.
- Wear a mask when you can’t keep a physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from others.
- Keep pets inside on Halloween. Costumes and loud noises may scare them.
COVID-19:
Do your part to keep everyone safe and reduce the spread of COVID-19 by following public health protocols and advice including:
- Stay home if you are unwell – don’t go trick-or-treating or hand out candy.
- Practice social distancing and good hand hygiene.
- Wear a non-medical mask if you’re trick-or-treating indoors (e.g. an apartment complex).
- Follow gathering limits.
More information on COVID-19 public health measures is available on the Government of Nova Scotia website.
Wishing everyone a fa-boo-lous and safe night!
