Peel - With Halloween just around the corner, Peel Regional Police’s Crime Prevention Services would like to remind parents and caregivers about the importance of maintaining personal safety, for both children and adults alike.

Halloween is a fun and exciting time, but safety should be the number one concern. Here are a number of safety tips to help safeguard children while trick or treating.

Safety Tips For Halloween

- Select clothing that can easily be seen at night.
- Costumes should be short enough that the child will not trip, and loose enough to be worn over warm clothing.
- Use masks that do not interfere with their vision or breathing. Masks can be avoided by wearing makeup.
- Make sure your child is accompanied by an adult.
- Trick or treat in one well-known area and not wander into unknown neighbourhoods.
- Discard any homemade treats, remind children not to eat their treats and goodies until they are examined by an adult at home.
- Watch for moving vehicles when crossing streets.
- Walk on sidewalks whenever possible. If there's no sidewalk, walk on the side of the road facing traffic.
- Dress appropriately for the weather and carry a flashlight.
- Stay in well-lit areas, and only visit homes that have their outside lights turned on.
- Never go inside homes or cars.
- Older children should always use the buddy system and stay in groups.
- Immediately report any dangerous or suspicious incidents to Police.


In addition to these safety tips for children, officers would like to recommend these safety tips for homeowners.

- Make sure your property is well lit on both October 30th and 31st.
- Consider motion activated lights to deter vandalism.
- Park vehicles inside a locked garage, where possible.
- Remove items from your yard or porch that might trip a child.
- Use alternative to candles in your pumpkins, such as a flashlight or a battery-operated candle.