The Ontario Provincial Police want to make sure everyone has a safe Halloween, so it is reminding parents and kids about a few safety tips.
First of all, police want children to be seen. They recommend children wear brightly coloured costumes. If that is not possible, put some reflective tape on it, so little ghouls and goblins are visible at night. It is also a good idea to carry a flashlight or a glow stick to increase your visibility.
Remember to plan your route ahead of time, and do not approach homes that do not have the porch light on or a jack-o-lantern.
Remind children to walk. Do not run from home to home because it increases the risk of injury. Do not cut across yards, and if there is no sidewalk, walk single-file on the edge of the road.
Kids trick-or-treating on Halloween. File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / monkeybusiness
Parents might want to feed their trick-or-treaters their favourite meal before heading out, so they are not tempted to snack on the way. Tampering with Halloween candy is very rare, but an inspection before the kids start eating it is never a bad idea.
Inside older children tell you where they are going and insist they return at an appointed time. A cell phone is a bonus.
For homeowners with dogs, even the friendliest pet can be unnerved by unknown children approaching the house in costume. Maybe put them in another room, so they are not tempted to run out the door or get too close to the children.
It is also a good idea to remove anything from your yard that may cause a fall or tripping hazard. That includes flower pots, hoses, and lawnmowers. Even though children have been reminded not to cut across lawns, that does not mean they will not forget in their excitement.
If you insist on lighting up your jack-o-lantern with real candles, keep them away from children. Police would prefer you use a light bulb inside the pumpkin.
Finally, police have advice for drivers too.
Slow down. A child could dart out into traffic anytime.