With Halloween creeping up, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia is offering the following tips to keep trick-or-treaters safe:
Tips for drivers
Don't get spooked: Children may be difficult to see while trick-or-treating. They may be walking in unexpected places like driveways, alleys and parking lots. Others may try to cross in the middle of the street.
Make sure there are no small children behind your vehicle by walking around it before getting in. Drive slowly and with extra caution, particularly in residential areas.
Be frightened by your phone: Not only is distracted driving illegal, it's one of the main causes of crashes with pedestrians. With so many children on the road on Halloween night, remember to leave the phone alone so that you can focus on driving.
Avoid being tricked by securing your car: Halloween is second only to New Year's Day for vehicle vandalism incidents on holidays or annual celebrations.
Park your car in your garage or an underground parkade. If you park on the street, park in a well-lit area, remove any valuables and lock your car.
Tips for parents
Add bright to their fright: No matter what children dress up as this Halloween, they also need to dress to be seen. Add reflective tape to their costume and supply them with a flashlight or glowstick to increase their visibility to drivers.
Use the magic of make-up: Masks can obscure the vision of little ghosts and goblins. The safest way to enhance your child's costume is to use makeup instead of a mask, which will give them a clear, unobstructed view.
Gather ghouls together: Walk in groups to help drivers and others see you and your children.
Have enough adults to safely accompany the children.
Create a candy trail: If your children will be trick-or-treating without you, establish a route and set a time limit.
Remind them to stay on the sidewalk, visit houses on one side of the street first, and to only cross the street at marked crosswalks.
