Full Notification

Everyone loves a good scare on Halloween, but not when it comes to child safety.  There are serveral easy and effective behaviours that parents can share with kids to help reduce  their risk of injury.

Walk Safely

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
• Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don't run, across the street.
• Teach children to make eye contact with the drivers before crossing in front of them.
• Always walk on sidewalks or paths.  If there are not sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up.  Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

• Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision.

• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
• Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child's vision.
• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
• When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trip and falls.

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods.  Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
• Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in teh day to spot children from greater distances.
• Popular trick-or-treating hours are generally 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.