Halloween safety tips from the Prince Rupert RCMP

With Halloween quickly approaching the Prince Rupert RCMP would like to share some safety tips for all the parents and trick or treaters.

Costume:

• When considering your costume, both children and adults, try to keep safety in mind. Many ghouls and monsters may be masked in darkness but it also makes you harder to be seen by drivers, consider a brighter costume or one with reflectors (glow sticks or flashlights are also great to make yourself visible)
• Make sure that your costume fits! If it is too loose you could trip and hurt yourself
• If you are wearing a scary mask make sure your vision isn’t limited, being able to see properly enhances your ability to be safe
• Wear good, comfortable shoes as this can be a tripping hazard as well
• Are you dressing as your favourite superhero? Maybe fake weapons are part of your costume, make sure they look fake but remember, some people still may not be able to tell the difference

Street Smart:

• Be sure to stick to sidewalks, don’t jaywalk, even if the house across the street is handing out full size candy bars
• If you see an animal you are unfamiliar with stay away, Halloween can be scary for pets with the costumes and extra noise
• Make a plan for a route, that way parents/guardians know where you will be and you can maximize your candy haul
• Have a meeting point, and have a way to communicate with your trick or treater (a cell phone)
• Travel in groups, there are safety in numbers, larger groups are more visible
• In case of an emergency everyone should know who to call, make sure children knows places along their route where they can get help
• Fireworks are prohibited in Prince Rupert, you can be liable of up to a $2,000 fine

Candy:

• Everyone loves the treats that we receive on Halloween but parents be sure to look through your kids’ haul for any suspicious treats
• Be sure that all your candy is wrapped properly and doesn’t look as though it has been re-wrapped
• If your child has allergies make sure to separate any candy with the allergens immediately
• Kids: don’t forget about the mom/dad tax

We hope that everyone has a safe and fun Halloween this year, if you see our officers give them a wave and show off your great costumes!