Halloween is quickly approaching and the OPP wants to remind all parents and children to practice safety precautions to make the evening a memorable one.
For Children and Parents:
- Provide your child with a flashlight and select a costume with bright colours and reflective material to increase visibility to drivers.
- Use makeup instead of masks. Masks can reduce one’s ability to see obstacles, vehicles, and other people.
- Walk, don’t run and remember to stop, look and listen before crossing the street.
- Never crisscross the street. Cross at crosswalks or intersections. Cross from on one side of the street, then the other.
- Never trick or treat alone, go in a group or with an adult. Draw a map outlining the route and set a curfew.
- Stay in familiar neighbourhoods and only go to homes that are well lit and that are participating in Halloween.
- Never go inside a stranger’s house to get your treat.
- Always have your treats checked by an adult before eating them.
Motorists are reminded to drive slowly in residential areas where children are more likely to be trick or treating. Watch out for children, many of whom may be wearing costumes with masks that make it difficult for them to see. Children are excited and they may dart out in traffic. To avoid a mishap, reduce your distractions and stay alert. Remember to enter and exit driveways slowly and carefully and proceed with caution, and of course, never drive impaired.
