Having a spook-tacularly safe Halloween
Posted October 31, 2012 8:56 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – There will be a lot of little goblins and ghosts running around tonight, so police are asking you to be careful if you’re driving somewhere.
Cst. Ian MacDonald with Abbotsford police wants people to use a little common sense.
“We certainly want to caution people who are out in their vehicles to be mindful of the little ones,” MacDonald says. “They’ll be difficult to see because of the darkness and the rainy weather.”
He says there are also a few things parents can do to keep their trick-and-treaters safe.
“Have them wear light coloured costumes and try to avoid costumes that are in any way going to obscure the view of the kids,” he says.
In Vancouver, police say they’ll be out in full force in the entertainment district tonight.
“Costume weaponry has always been a concern for us,” Vancouver Police Department Sgt. Randy Fincham says. “In past years replica handguns, hatchets and swords have been visible in the community and we’re asking if you decide to use these as decorations for your costumes, that they be clearly displayed as costumes.”
Fincham is also reminding parents to dress their kids up in bright costumes so drivers can spot them easily.
Halloween warning for homeowners
It’s also a good idea to double check your insurance coverage and take a few extra security steps to avoid filing any claims this Halloween.
Walk around your home before trick-or-treaters arrive and make sure the pathway is well-lit, there’s nothing hanging around like toys or a rake that a child or even adult could trip over and be extra careful if you plan on using candles.
Dave Minor, Vice-President of TD Insurance advises to keep pets indoors as well; nobody wants a giant dog that has been spooked running over a small child.
“I know myself, we used to have a large German Shepherd and she got excited around children all the time but especially at Halloween. So we certainly had to keep her at a distance. I know that had she got out she would have been right on top of them in a playful way, but still it could knock them [children] down very easily,” describes Minor.
If you’re not going to be home tonight, make sure the lights are on, the doors and windows are locked, and before you leave take pictures of everything just in case something is missing when you return.
You should also consider checking out security weak spots around your home like overgrown shrubs that could be the perfect cover; don’t leave any valuables that can be spotted if someone’s peering through the window.
