Ghost or goblin? Fireman or fairy princess?

On Monday, October 31, family and friends will gather in neighbourhoods across Canada as toddlers and teenagers set out for their trick-or-treating.

Many will be eager to fill their goody-bags with candy, but it is important to remember how to stay safe when crossing busy streets and approaching a neighbour’s house. Our friends at Safe Kids Canada are here to help with a list of tips and tricks on how parents can keep Halloween safe and fun.

• Children under the age of nine should be accompanied by an adult or responsible older child, since they lack the developmental skills to cross the street on their own.
• Teach your child to stop at the curb, look left, right and left again and to listen for oncoming traffic.
• Select costumes with bright colours to increase your child’s visibility and choose face paint instead of masks.
• Always cross at crosswalks, street corners or intersections - it’s unsafe to cross between parked cars or other obstacles.
• Stay on the sidewalk when walking from house to house and if there is no sidewalk, walk beside the road, facing traffic so drivers can see you.

For more on Halloween safety, visit www.safekidscanada.ca.

Happy Halloween!