Halloween night is creeping up on us and the Alberta RCMP would like to remind those who will be out on Monday night to be extra cautious. “Halloween night sees children transform into monsters and princesses with one thing in mind: Candy. Adults who will be out with little ones or who will be driving are reminded to watch for children who might be dashing across streets.” says Sgt. Jack Poitras, Media Relations Manager. “It is a busy night in our neighborhoods and we all need to do our part.”
For all the little ghosts and goblins running between haunted houses it is important to remember these safety tips:
· Wear bright costumes with reflective tape or glow sticks. You will be more visible to drivers.
· Wear face paint instead of masks which can impair vision and hearing. If you are wearing a mask always remove it when crossing the street or walking from house to house.
· Wear costumes and footwear that are fitted properly.
· Costume weaponry should be easily identifiable as imitation.
· Carry a flashlight.
· Be accompanied by a trusted adult, or travel in groups if you are old enough to be out alone.
· Carry a cellphone if unaccompanied by an adult.
· Always walk on the sidewalks.
· Go door-to-door down one side of the street at a time. Do not crisscross back-and-forth.
· Stay in well-lit areas.
· Plan a route with an adult and stick with it. Do not take shortcuts.
· Never enter a stranger’s house or vehicle.
· Never eat treats that have not been inspected by an adult.
· Know the places along the route where it is safe to go for help.
Drivers beware….some will be riding on broom sticks, but lots will be behind the wheel. Please be extra cautious and watch out for werewolves, zombies and witches – oh my! It’s scary how easy it is to drive safe on Halloween and below are some tips:
· Slow down. Expect to see children running across streets and some will be in dark costumes.
· Watch carefully when approaching cross walks to make sure no one is darting out.
· Do not wear costumes that interfere with the safe operation of a motor vehicle.
· Do not drink while driving.
· If at all possible avoid driving in residential areas where there will be a high volume of trick-or-treaters.
Lastly, Halloween safety is not limited to the little ones. There are steps adults can take to keep themselves, and their property, free from any hair-raising experiences. Below are some spooktacular tips:
· Ensure your house is well-lit.
· Keep walkways obstacle free.
· Avoid using candles in your pumpkins. There are great flameless options available.
· Report any suspicious activity you may see.
· Try keeping pets away from trick or treaters. Four legged fur monsters can get extremely anxious with all the activity.
Stay safe, have fun and don’t get haunted by bad decisions. BOO!