While Halloween is one of the favourite nights of the year for kids of all ages, it can also be extremely dangerous if we forget to make safety our first priority.
One small mistake cannot only ruin excitement of trick-or-treating for a small child, but it can also bring real horror to a family.
We need to protect the young people who will be so excited about dressing up in their Halloween costumes and collecting oodles of candy tomorrow night (Oct. 31).
That protection begins at home with the costumes. Costumes need to be colourful so they can be seen in the dark.
If the costumes are dark to enhance spookiness, they should be trimmed with reflective tape, so bigger trick-or-treaters and motorists can see them. Nobody wants to knock down and injure a youngster.
The next most important precautionary rule is to make sure our little trick-or-treaters can see where they are going, so they don’t bump their heads on immoveable objects or fall down stairs.
Parents should look through the mask to ensure their child’s vision isn’t impaired.
It is also important to ensure our children’s hearing isn’t being impaired by their costumes.
It is imperative parents walk with their children during the candy-collecting event, especially when they’re young.
This is when children can be trained and/or reminded about Halloween safety – walk don’t run, especially across roads; walk in groups so they are more visible to motorists; and use the sidewalk wherever possible.
Homeowners are reminded to make sure their walkways, steps and front yards are well lit and all obstacles, which could trip trick-or-treaters, have been removed.
Motorists play a huge role in safety on Halloween Night and they have to be vigilant – every corner, parked vehicle or yard entrance can provide a frightening surprise.
We have to slow down and expect the unexpected. Watch for the little ones who will likely not be watching for you.
We are lucky in 100 Mile House because we have community-minded businesses, Canlan Ice Sports and the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce that work extremely hard to provide safe, family fun at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre on Halloween night.
There is everything from free ice skating and refreshments to a bonfire and fireworks.
The Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School grads are putting on the Spooky Forest for older youth and the Creepy Zone for the young ones.
Be sure the family goes to take it all in this year from 5 to 9 p.m.
