RCMP and professional firefighters have teamed up this year to offer some spooktacular Halloween safety tips to make this yearsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ trick or treating celebrations both fun and safe for everyone in our community.
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Halloween home and community safety tips by RCMP:
•Choose a costume that is bright, visible and without long trailing fabric that could catch flame
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•Provide children with flashlights and/or glow sticks, so that passing cars can easily see them.
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•Stick to the sidewalk. Do not jaywalk. Stay to one side of the street at a time.
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•Have an adult or an older teenager accompany young children when trick-or-treating.
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•Keep all decorations away from open flames, especially dried flowers, crepe paper, cornstalks and hay bales.
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•Use a battery-operated candle in your jack-o-lantern.
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•Ensure your homesa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ exits remain visible and are clear of any obstruction by Halloween decorations.
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•Ensure that any weapons included as part of a costume are easily identified as fake.
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•If your child is wearing a mask, ensure that it does not block their vision or limit sightlines. Makeup is preferred to masks.
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•Teach children to stop, drop, and roll if their costume catches fire.
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•Test all smoke alarms in your home to ensure that they are functioning properly.
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•Parents and guardians should check all candy before it is consumed by children. Any candy wrappers that have been damaged or tampered with should be discarded.
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• Fireworks may only be used by a licensed operator who has undergone a strict permitting process that is officially vetted through the fire department.
The RCMP or a Bylaw Officer could issue bylaw tickets for setting off fireworks.
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•Motorists are asked to reduce speeds significantly and be prepared to stop suddenly
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•Dog owners are asked to keep all pets inside as the noise and excitement of the evening can be too much for them to process
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•Parents are warned that there are TCH-infused candy packages that are now disguised as popular candies (see related story on Page A8).
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•Halloween is also a special night for adults. Those visiting the bars and pubs are reminded to take alternate transportation home.
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For parents who prefer an option thatsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ safer than going door-to-door in the dark, Cherry Lane Shopping Centre in Penticton is offering indoor trick-or-treating today from 3-5 p.m. (Look for stores with balloons.) There will also be childrens’ entertainment.
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Meanwhile, A&W is making its restaurants a must-visit stop on kids’ trick-or-treating routes. Children 12 and under can enjoy a free A&W Kids’ Pack -- a special one-day offer on Oct. 31 2024.
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One Kids’ Pack is allowed per child. No purchase is necessary.
Not available on the A&W mobile app, through third-party delivery services, or at A&W shopping centre locations.
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