As the witching hour approaches, and with Halloween only a matter of days away, the Timmins Police Service is nudging ghosts and goblins with a few reminders for safe trick-or-treating.
The head ghoul of communications, Marc Depatie, offers this list for boos and ghouls:
- Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
2. Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
3. Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
4. Children should make an effort to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
5. Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should map out their routes ahead of time, choosing the trek with the fewest street crossings.
6. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Children should never dart out into the street or cross between parked vehicles.
7. Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
8. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers. If possible, choose light colors for costumes.
9. Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
10. Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
11. When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
Werewolves behind the wheel are reminded to
1) Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
2) Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, and on curbs.
3) Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
4) Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
5) Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
6) Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.