Halloween safety tips from East Gwillimbury Emergency and Community Safety Services

Local fire and emergency services department wishes you a safe and spooky Halloween

Yorkregion.com
October 24, 2019

It’s almost Halloween, which means next Thursday our streets will be filled with ghosts, goblins and superheroes wandering door to door in search of tricks or treats. Like many holidays, potential dangers are just around the corner. Before the spooky fun can begin, it is important that all parents, guardians and older siblings help make this Halloween a safe one.

Pumpkins are a symbol of Halloween, carving different faces into the front of them and watching them glow on Halloween night is a fun family tradition. Follow these tips to ensure you light and display your pumpkins safely:

• Use extreme caution if using real candles
• Use long, fireplace-style matches or a utility lighter to light candles
• Place lit pumpkins far away from anything that can burn and ensure it is out of the way of trick-or-treaters
• Alternatively, using battery-operated candles or glow-sticks is the safest way to give your pumpkin that spooky spark!

Choosing the perfect costume whether it’s scary, goofy, or fun can be extremely amusing for both adults and children. Before you search, look for costumes and accessories such as beards, wigs, wings and tails that are labelled flame-resistant, but remember, flame-resistant does not mean fireproof. Flowy skirts, capes, baggy sleeves or oversized costumes can all be hazards around candles or flames. Costumes should be proper fitting to avoid burns, trips or falls. It is important to not wear masks, to ensure your child is able to see their complete surroundings. Costumes should be bright and have reflectors on the front and back, so that they can be easily seen by drivers. Glow sticks and flashlights can also be used to give your child’s costume some extra visibility.

Before you hit the streets in your neighbourhood, ensure that all exits at home are clear of decorations with nothing blocking your escape routes and make sure all smoke alarms are in working order.

When on the hunt for candy do not approach any homes that are not well lit. Start on one side of the street and work your way around the neighbourhood using the sidewalks. Always be aware of oncoming vehicles and remind your kids before you head out to not run across streets. If you are venturing out as a motorist it is important to keep your eyes open for children, enter and exit driveways with caution.

One of the best parts of Halloween is the candy! Kids cannot wait to dive right into their goodie bags and start eating some of their delicious treats. Before they get into their goodies, be sure to examine all candies for any openings, broken seals or packaging that has been tempered with in any way.

As the evening winds down, and your kids are in bed, make sure all pumpkins and candles are completely extinguished. East Gwillimbury Emergency and Community Safety Services, wishes you a spooky and safe Halloween!

For more information on Emergency and Community Safety Services in East Gwillimbury, visit www.eastgwillimbury.ca/emergencyservices.