Police issue 13 Halloween trick-or-treat safety reminders

Toronto Police Service News Release

Police issue 13 Halloween trick-or-treat safety reminders

Thursday, October 31, 2013 - 5:00 AM
Traffic Services:  416-808-1900

Halloween is lots of fun for kids, mostly because it usually involves getting dressed up and eating candy. There's more to Halloween than trick-or-treating, and the Toronto Police Service would like to remind everyone of the need for safety this Halloween.

Some things you may not think of include costume safety, candy cautions, trick-or-treat best practices and driver safety. Below are some of the things that the Toronto Police Service would like to remind everyone about:

1) Put strips of reflective tape on the front and back of the costumes to make them more visible to drivers

2) Your child's costume shouldn't drag on the ground — it's too easy to trip over. Shoes should be well-fitting and sturdy

3) Don't allow children to carry sharp objects. Swords, knives, and any other accessories should be made of soft, flexible material

4) If your child wears a mask, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large enough so that he or she can see

5) Make sure that treat bags are light-colored for easy visibility. Decorate them with reflective tape (you can find it in hardware, bicycle, or sporting goods stores)

6) No child should go trick-or-treating alone. Always accompany your younger children; older children can go in groups

7) Allow children to go trick-or-treating early but avoid the evening rush hour. It's harder for motorists to see clearly during twilight than at any other time of day

8) Give children specific neighbourhood boundaries for trick-or-treating. Set a firm curfew for your children

9) Remind children to walk on sidewalks and be cautious when crossing streets

10) Tell children to only go to homes and neighbours they know and only to houses with lights on

11) Tell children to turn down all invitations to enter homes. Period.

12) Tell children to avoid even normally friendly neighbourhood dogs, who can be startled by kids they know who are dressed in unfamiliar costumes

13) Drivers: remember children may be preoccupied with the trick-or-treating and may not be paying attention to the rules of the road. Keep vehicle speeds at or below the posted limits, and scan the road for children attempting to cross streets mid-block

Help the Toronto Police Service make this Halloween a safe and happy Halloween.

Constable Sarah Diamond, Corporate Communications, for Constable Clint Stibbe, Traffic Services