Partners for Safety wants everyone to have a safe and happy Halloween
For the 22nd year, the Calgary Partners for Safety are sharing Halloween safety tips and will be out patrolling neighbourhoods on the evening of October 31 to provide safe and trusted contacts for trick-or-treaters in need.
The Partners for Safety is coordinated by Calgary’s Child Magazine and includes The City of Calgary, the Calgary Police Service, and Alberta Health Services.
More than 800 marked vehicles including police cars, fire trucks, transit vehicles, bylaw vehicles, and ambulances will patrol Calgary streets between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Halloween. These vehicles will provide a safe contact for any child in need of help.
Calgary Transit’s buses and C-Trains will continue to provide transit service from early morning until late at night. In the event of an emergency, trick-or-treaters can approach any transit vehicle driver who can help contact the appropriate emergency personnel. Local fire stations will also be open to offer help or assistance.
The Partners are also sharing important Halloween safety information with all Calgarians.
Costume safety tips
- Costumes should be made of bright and reflective material. Reflective tape can be attached to the costume for increased visibility.
- Choose costumes which allow your trick-or-treater to see clearly. Masks can limit vision -use make-up instead of masks.
- Costumes should not drag on the ground and appropriate footwear should be worn.
- Costumes should be warm enough to be worn outside in temperatures as low as -10C.
Trick-or-treating tips
- Trick-or-treaters should let their parents know where they are going and when they will be home.
- Trick-or-treaters should remain in the doorway or on the doorstep, when trick-or treating.
- Trick-or treaters should travel in groups or with a parent, and avoid short cuts through alleys, lanes or private property.
- Trick-or-treaters should only cross the street at intersections, after looking both ways to ensure it is safe to cross.
- Trick-or-treaters who are out after dark should carry a flashlight to help see and be seen.
- It is important for trick-or-treaters to know their location at all times. If an emergency call is made to 9-1-1 from a cell phone, emergency communications officers won’t be able to pinpoint the exact location of the call. Trick-or-treaters should take notice of street signs and other landmarks so emergency responders can find them.
- Halloween treats should be checked by parents before children eat them.
Tips for giving out candy
- Turn on your outdoor lights and keep your yard clear of debris or other obstacles that children could trip over.
- Keep lit candles away from trick-or-treaters and their costumes.
- Keep pets inside and away from trick-or-treaters. They may become frightened or over-excited in the presence of strangers.
- Hand out only factory-wrapped food items.
And everyone who is out driving on Halloween night should be extra cautious on residential streets to help ensure Calgary’s young ghosts and goblins are safe.
For more Halloween safety information, please visit calgary.ca/fire or calgaryschild.com.
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