13 Tips for a Safe Sudbury Halloween

Halloween night is upon us here in Greater Sudbury. Scary monsters, ghoulish demons and probably quite a few junior members of the Paw Patrol will be taking to our streets with hopes of filling their candy sacks.

With the excitement of costumes and treats, dangers are increased and safety rules can sometimes be lost In the shuffle. We’d like to help to ensure everyone in our great city has a safe and fun evening with these 13 tips for a safe and happy Halloween.

1. Make your kids a filling meal prior to trick-or-treating. This will ensure they have plenty of energy on their hunt for candy and they will be less tempted to consume any of the tasty treats.
2. Wearing brightly colored costumes is suggested. Adding reflective tape or glowsticks to darker costumes are great ways to make your child visible to motorists, as is carrying a flashlight.
3. An adult or responsible older sibling should accompany younger trick-or-treaters on their neighbourhood candy rounds. Older children should always walk in groups and never trick-or-treat alone.
4. Make a plan with older children in regards to the route they will be taking and an agreed upon time to return home. If available, a cell phone should be carried in case of an emergency.
5. Trick-or-treat in neighbourhoods you are familiar with. Only approach homes that are well-lit and have a porch light on.
6. Reinforce to your children that it is never safe to enter the home or car of a stranger.
7. Put down any electronic devices and keep your heads up! Walk, don’t run, from house to house. Avoid masks or other costume details that limit your vision.
8. Children should use sidewalks, if available, cross at corners, and avoid back alleys or laneways. Follow all traffic signals and always check for cars when crossing the street.
9. Halloween is a great time to reinstate to your children the need to respect the property of others. Avoid walking too closely to vehicles or on people’s lawns.
10. Treats shouldn’t be eaten until you return home so that they are able to be thoroughly inspected by an adult. Anything that is unsealed, torn, loosely wrapped or otherwise suspicious should be thrown away.
11. Homeowners preparing for trick-or-treaters should make sure their front porch and pathways are clear of hazards, such as shovels, decorative items and hoses. Keep lit pumpkins away from pathways and other areas where trick-or-treaters will be walking or waiting.
12. Motorists should keep watch for children and remember exit and enter their driveways carefully. Keep in mind that kids may be wearing dark clothing or running out from in between parked cars. Slow down at and at all times stay alert.
13. Adults heading out to Halloween parties with the intention of drinking should plan ahead and make arrangements to get home safely. Don’t drink and drive!