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.
Superintendent Scott Baptist says, "During Halloween, when the kids are out trick-or-treating, care must be used by all. Your caution and awareness of your surroundings can only help make this a safe Halloween for everyone, especially our kids."
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 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-coloured for easy visibility. Decorate them with reflective tape.
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.
12) Tell children to avoid even normally friendly neighbourhood dogs, who can be startled by kids they know but who are dressed in unfamiliar costumes.
13) Drivers must remember that children may be preoccupied with trick-or-treating and, as a result, 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 one.
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