Halloween is about to descend so it’s important for trick or treaters and those handing out googies to think about safety during spooky season.
The RCMP and the federal government are offering safety tips for a fun and safe Halloween for parents and children.
• To plan for a safe and scary look, trick-or-treaters need to be seen and heard. Ensure costumes are visible in the dark. Adding reflective tape, flashlights and glow sticks to costumes are great accessories and can increase visibility.
• If a costume involves a mask, test it out prior to Halloween to ensure the child can see and breathe properly. If possible, use face paint instead.
• Make sure costumes fit well to avoid falls or stumbles.
• Teach children about traffic safety and how they can keep themselves bright and visible.
• Children should always be accompanied by a parent when trick-or-treating.
• Give each child a flashlight to carry to make them more visible to motorists and others.
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• Children should stay in well-lit areas and only visit homes that have their outside lights turned on. Make sure they know to never go inside homes or cars.
• Teach children to be careful when crossing the street. Make sure they look both ways and only cross when no cars are coming. Cross streets at the corner, and never cross between parked cars.
• Motorists are reminded to drive with caution and be on the lookout for children throughout the night. Residents are also reminded to report any unsafe or suspicious activity to police or call 9-1-1.
Be sure the goodies are safe.
• Parents should always check candy received before giving it to children.
• Inspect treats before consuming and do not eat homemade treats.
• Check all commercially wrapped treats for small holes in the wrappers. Throw away anything that is torn, unwrapped, or in loose packaging. When in doubt throw it out.
Decorations are scary but so are the risks they present. Carving pumpkins can result in cuts.
• Let children draw a design on the pumpkin and then have an adult carve it.
• Place lighted candles and jack-o-lanterns away from curtains and other flammable objects. Consider using a small flashlight or battery candle to light a jack-o-lantern.
• Keep candles, matches, lighters and other fire hazards in a place that children cannot reach.
• Check indoor and outdoor decorative lights for broken or cracked sockets, bare wires or loose connections.
In the cities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows it is illegal to sell or use fireworks without an approved permit.
To report fireworks in Maple Ridge call the Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department at 604-467-7305 or RCMP Non-Emergency at 604-463-6251.
For more information and how to report firework use in Pitt Meadows go to: pittmeadows.ca/fireworks.
For more Halloween safety tips, visit www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/home-safety/halloween-safety.html.