Be safe this Halloween

With Halloween just around the corner, you’ll soon be hearing kids yelling “Trick or treat”! The streets will be filled with superheroes and princesses as they run around racing against the clock to see who can collect the most candy!

While the kids can become distracted by all of the fun, they tend to forget about holding your hand or looking both ways before they cross the street. As parents and members of the community, it’s important to put their safety first whether you’re handing out candy or running around with them. Before you head out on the big night, here’s some important tips to remember:

Make sure your children are visible

It gets dark early around this time of year and before they head out into the neighbourhood, make sure your kids are visible not only to other trick or treaters, but motorists as well. Avoid dark costumes that will be hard to spot, instead opt for a bright coloured costume or add a reflector or flashing light to their costume.

Prepare your home for Trick or Treaters

It’s an exciting time to decorate your home with jack-o-lanterns, spooky skeletons and creepy cobwebs, but make sure to have a clear pathway and keep your outdoor lights on for when trick or treaters arrive. You’ll also want to make sure to have candy options for kids who may have peanut or other allergies.

The rules of trick-or-treating 

It can be easy for kids to forget to look both ways before crossing the street while trick or treating. Take a minute before your kids head out the door to go over some key street safety rules. Remind them to look both ways when crossing the street, stay on the sidewalks and be mindful of people’s yards and property.

Motorists be cautious

A child may be so excited to collect candy, that they sometimes may be unaware of their surroundings. When driving through Oak Bluff West, or any other residential area, make sure you are slowing down and paying attention to the road. Take extra time at stop signs or when backing out of your driveway, as kids can move quickly and in unpredictable ways.

Watch out for construction sites

Oak Bluff West is continuing to grown, which is why it’s important to steer clear of streets still under construction. And though our builders take great care, there may be streets that still have debris and haven’t been properly cleaned up yet. This can result in unwanted cuts, bumps and bruises if not careful.

By keeping these safety tips in mind, you will surely have a safe and spooktacular Halloween. From everyone at Qualico Communities, we wish you a Happy Halloween!