Helpful tips and DIY tricks to keep your kids safe this Halloween

The night is finally here where our streets will be filled with little goblins, ghosts and ghouls. But Hamilton Police are urging residents to keep safety top-of-mind to ensure the evening is a treat for all.

In their ‘Safety Tips for a Howling Good Halloween‘, police encourage having an open conversation with your children before they head out trick-or-treating and to remind them that they should never enter other homes under any circumstances. It also suggests to set a pre-determined time when children are expected to be home and to avoid homes in complete darkness.

Parachute Canada, a national organization dedicated to preventing injuries in children, says the #1 safety tip for Halloween trick-or-treating is to increase your child’s visibility.

“Be visible. Be seen” said Parachute Interim CEO, Pam Fuselli. “When it comes to dark or black clothing, drivers can only spot you from about 100 feet away.” She suggests adding reflective tape and glow sticks to your child’s costume to make them more visible to drivers.

“Reflective gear can increase visibility for drivers by up to 700 feet, which is about the length of two football fields.”

When it comes to candy, parents should keep their eyes open for any candy wrappers that aren’t sealed and anything that appears homemade. Fuselli said parents should always supervise young children when they are eating Halloween treats. “If an object can fit through a cardboard toilet paper roll, it can cause a young child to choke.”

Don’t forget about your furry friends. Fuselli added “It’s also important to ensure your family pet doesn’t get into Halloween candy since chocolate isn’t safe for dogs to eat.”