Halloween safety tips: Ensuring a fun and secure night for all!

As Halloween approaches, children and adults alike eagerly anticipate a night filled with costumes, candy, and good fun. It's a time for fun and excitement, but safety should also be a top priority. P.E.I. RCMP offer some critical safety tips for homeowners, trick-or-treaters and motorists to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable Halloween.

For homeowners

1. Illuminated pathways: Make sure the pathway to your front door is well-lit, reducing the chances of tripping or slipping. This also let's trick-or-treaters know they're welcome!
2. Secure pets: Pets can get spooked or overly excited with the influx of visitors. Keep them in a separate room to ensure both their safety and the safety of the trick-or-treaters.
3. Fire safety: If using candles in your decorations, place them far from flammable materials and always monitor them. Consider using LED candles as a safer alternative in your pumkins.
4. Offer packaged treats: Stick to offering store-bought, sealed candies to ensure they're safe for consumption.
5. Keep pathways clear: Remove obstacles such as lawn ornaments and gardening tools from yards. Place decorations out of the way so that nobody trips.
6. Curfews: Be aware of any community curfews.

For trick-or-treaters

1. Visible costumes: Ensure costumes are bright and reflective. Consider adding reflective tape or stickers, especially if children are wearing dark colors.
2. Travel in groups: There's safety in numbers and you're going to want to hang with your besties! Ensure young children are accompanied by an adult.
3. Stay on sidewalks: Avoid walking on streets when possible. If you must walk on a street, stay on the side facing oncoming traffic. Don't crisscross streets to get from house to house.
4. Check candies: Parents should always check their children's treats before they consume them. Discard any open or suspicious-looking goodies.
5. Carry a cell phone: You're going to want to get some great pics, but you might also need to make an emergency phone call.
6. Curfews: Know what time you need to get home, or back to a friend's house.

For motorists

1. Drive slowly: Expect children to dart into the street, especially from between parked cars. Drive slower in residential areas.
2. Check mirrors and look around: When backing out of a driveway or backing up anywhere don't just relay on your dash video – look around and make sure you are safe to move.
3. Limit distractions: Keep your full attention on the road. Avoid using your phone or adjusting the radio.
4. Stay alert at crosswalks: Always yield to pedestrians. Children might not stop, either because they don't see your vehicle or don't know how to safely cross.
5. Enter and exit driveways with caution: Watch for children walking on sidewalks or nearby.
6. Never drive impaired!

Halloween is a treasured tradition, a night of imagination and fun. Let's work together to keep it safe and enjoyable for everyone. By taking these simple precautions and staying safe and aware, we can ensure that all members of our community, from the youngest ghouls and witches to the adults accompanying them, enjoy a frightfully fun evening without any real scares.

Remember, safety doesn't happen by accident. It's a collective effort. P.E.I. RCMP wish everyone a Happy Halloween and urge all residents to look out for each other during on this fun night of ghosts and goblins! Stay safe, stay spooky, and let's make this Halloween memorable for all the right reasons!