On behalf of all of Smart Canucks blog­gers I’d like to wish every­one a Happy and Safe Hal­loween!  I was won­der­ing if many peo­ple out there get strange things from houses still such as apples, grapes, cereal in bags etc?  I won­der if peo­ple will ever real­ize that that is thrown out the sec­ond it comes home!  I am so care­ful with my kids treats that I even make sure that there is still air in the pack­age to make sure it wasn’t tam­pered with.

The OPP have pub­lished safety tips for our ghouls and gob­lins.  Take a few min­utes to review their valu­able tips and have a great night trick or treating.

Tips for Parents:

Before chil­dren go trick or treat­ing, make sure that they have eaten a meal. Tell chil­dren to wait until they come home before they start eat­ing their treats. Inspect candy by look­ing for wrap­pers that have been tam­pered with, pin holes in pack­ages and loose or torn pack­ag­ing. If you are sus­pi­cious, throw the treat away. Although home­made caramel pop­corn balls, cook­ies, candy and apples are nice and usu­ally well intended by the giver, they can also be dan­ger­ous. Dis­pose of them unless you know and trust who gave them to you.

It is rec­om­mended that a par­ent or respon­si­ble adult always accom­pany small chil­dren, even when in a group.

If older chil­dren are going out with­out the com­pany of a par­ent or respon­si­ble adult, know their planned route and which friends is trick or treat­ing with them. Make sure your child is old enough and respon­si­ble enough to go out on their own. Instruct them to stay together and only trick or treat in famil­iar areas. Estab­lish when they are com­ing home.

Review the safety rules relat­ing to traf­fic and strangers.

Pro­vide your child with a flash­light or glow stick. Cos­tume should be light or bright in colour and have reflec­tive strips attached.

When you plan to greet trick or treaters at your door, make sure the area is well lit. Pick up any obstruc­tions such as gar­den hoses, bicy­cles, tools or other obstruc­tions that pose a haz­ard. Clean wet leaves from your sidewalks.

Pump­kins with can­dles should be placed in a safe loca­tion. Try the new flame­less candles.

Cos­tumes should include face paint or makeup that does not restrict the child’s sight instead of a mask. Chil­dren need to be able to see haz­ards around them.

Make sure that the cos­tume is not too long so that the child does not trip on the fab­ric. No over­sized shoes or high heels.

Ensure that the cos­tume is fire retar­dant. Some home own­ers like to put out jack-o-lanterns illu­mi­nated using lit can­dles near the front door.

If the cos­tume includes a sword, knife or other “prop”, make sure that they are made out of card­board and not the real thing or rigid mate­r­ial. Should the child fall, the object could pierce them.

Tips for Children:

Older chil­dren, plan a safe route for you and your friends to fol­low while going door to door. Make sure you get home by the agreed time. Make sure you are trick or treat­ing in a group.

Trick or treat only in neigh­bour­hoods you know. Only go to homes that are well lit. If the home is in dark­ness, pass it by.

Do not go into homes or apart­ments even if you are invited.

Do not talk to strangers on the street or go into cars while out trick or treating.

Do not run from door to door and don’t cut across front lawns. There may be objects like a hose, rake or other obstruc­tion you may trip over in the darkness.

Obey the safety rules when cross­ing the street. Only cross in well lit areas.

Do not snack on your treats while trick or treat­ing. Take all of your Hal­loween loot home and have your par­ents inspect it.