Halloween Safety Tips

Safety comes first on Halloween.

Penticton RCMP have some tips for parents to help keep their little ghosts and goblins safe tonight.

Corporal Rick Dellebuur says there are four main things parents should keep in mind while out trick-or-treating.

"First, stay in an area you know, a three or four block radius of your home is a good idea. Second, younger children should always be accompanied by an adult. Third, carry a flash light, it makes you more visible to traffic.
Finally, parents should check their children's candy before they are allowed to eat any of it," says Dellebuur.

Dellebuur says time limits are a good idea.

"An hour's worth of trick-or-treating is usually enough to fill any goodie-bag. Plus, there's no need for any child to be out on the street after about 8 pm when it is really dark," says Dellebuur.

Liz Wilson of the Penticton Fire Department says some care should be also given when selecting costumes.

"Try to avoid anything with long sleeves or lots of material, that way children are less likely to trip. Also, under no circumstances should children carry candles. The effect isn't worth the fire risk," says Wilson.

She says children should use face paint instead of masks so they can see better.