**** HRP Media Release
Halloween safety tips via HRP
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 of 10 people; 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.
- If you’re not participating in trick-or-treating turn off your lights, take down decorations and put up a sign indicating you’re not participating in trick-or-treating this year
- Give out only commercially-wrapped snacks.
- Hand out treats from your porch, driveway, front yard or at the front door, if possible.
- Don’t have children take treats from a self-serve bowl or container, use tongs or other utensils to hand out treats or put them on a table.
- 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.
Community members:
- Contact police if you notice anything suspicious or require assistance.
Wishing everyone a fang-tastic and safe night!
