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Halloween Safety

On October 31, thousands of children will be out trick-or- treating in the streets of Calgary. Most activities will be done in the evening when visibility is reduced.

We would like to offer a few tips for a safe and fun Halloween.

1. Use reflective tape or stickers on costumes. Many costumes are made of dark, non-reflective fabrics that put children at risk since they are less visible to drivers. Attaching reflective tape to your children's costumes will give drivers a better chance to spot them from a distance.
   
   
2. Unmask your children. If a costume requires a mask, make sure the mask does not restrict your child's vision. Masks may have improper eye openings that may cause risk of tripping, falling or unable to see traffic. Alternatively, use make-up instead of a mask. Ensure the make-up is hypo-allergenic and be careful to apply away from the eyelid and eyelash line.
   
   
3. Keep costumes safe. Avoid sharp or pointy objects such as swords in costumes. If a child is poked in the eye, thoroughly inspect the eye for redness and foreign bodies. Assess any complaints of eye pain or blurred vision and take your child to see an optometrist if necessary.
   
   
4. Light up the way. Give your child a flashlight to guide them while trick-or-treating. Also, keep the path to your front door well lit for those children calling on your home.

Happy Halloween! Be safe and be seen.