Fort St. John RCMP offers safety tips for Halloween

Fort St. John RCMP has some tips on keeping Halloween, which is next Saturday night, safe and fun.

Before your and your child go out, it is important that parents be aware of the route that their children plan to follow.

• If you are unable to take them out yourself, consider asking another parent, an older sibling or babysitter to do the honours for you.
• Ensuring your child is wearing a watch also allows you to establish an agreed upon curfew.
• Teach your children to recognize the places along his/her route where they can obtain help.
• Stay on the sidewalks. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left-hand side of the street facing traffic.
• Don’t jaywalk. Use crosswalks whenever possible: Visit houses on one side of the street at a time and cross the street only at intersections or at marked crosswalks.
• Stop and check for cars before crossing the street.
• Discuss with your children what they should do to call home in case of emergency.
• Safety in numbers: Walk in groups and stay together.
• Stay on the outside: Never enter a house; only accept treats at the front door.

RCMP say being visible in your costume is important:

• Wear a light-coloured or bright costume.
• Wear a costume that is properly fitted to reduce the chance of tripping on it.
• Make sure your vision is not restricted. Consider completing your costume with make-up rather than a
• mask.
• Shoes should fit properly even if they do not go well with a costume.
• Glow sticks are also an excellent method to increase a child’s visibility. Accessorize with a flashlight.
• Are swords, knives and guns part of your costume? Make sure they look fake but remember, some people still may not be able to tell the difference.