Halloween safety tips

Posted:

EN

Halloween – a night filled with candy, creepy costumes and time with friends – is just around the corner. To ensure that the night is fun and memorable, Halifax Regional Police is sharing these Halloween safety tips:

COVID-19

Do your part to keep everyone safe and reduce the spread of COVID-19 by following public health protocols and advice including:

  • Stay home if you are unwell
  • Practice social distancing and good hand hygiene
  • Wear a non-medical mask if you’re trick-or-treating indoors
  • Follow gathering limits

More information on celebrating Halloween safely during COVID-19 is available on the Government of Nova Scotia website.

Trick-or-treaters, parents and guardians:

  • Follow normal pedestrian safety rules. Look both ways before crossing the street and watch for vehicles (especially vehicles backing out of driveways).
  • Trick-or-treat with people from your household or your close social group of 10 people; don’t trick-or-treat alone.
  • Try to limit criss-crossing the street. Go down one side of the street, then up the other.
  • Ensure Halloween costumes are bright, reflective and fit well. Confirm that costumes allow the wearer to see clearly. Consider using face paint or makeup instead of a mask. Wear a non-medical mask if you are trick-or-treating indoors (e.g. an apartment complex).
  • Carry a flashlight and stay close to well-lit areas.
  • Be sure an adult checks all Halloween candy before trick-or-treaters dig in.
  • Trick-or-treaters should tell their parents and/or guardians their Halloween route and when they expect to be home.
  • Dress warmly.
  • Watch for open flames and be careful around jack-o-lanterns.
  • Stay outside while trick-or-treating. Never enter someone's home.

Motorists:

  • With the excitement of Halloween, trick-or-treaters may forget pedestrian safety rules.
  • Drive slowly and be careful backing up.
  • Drive with extra caution in residential areas.

Homeowners:

  • Keep your doorway well-lit; clear of tripping hazards and open flames.
  • If you’re not participating in trick-or-treating turn off your lights, take down decorations and put up a sign indicating you’re not participating in trick-or-treating this year
  • Give out only commercially-wrapped snacks.
  • Hand out treats from your porch, driveway, front yard or at the front door, if possible.
  • Don’t have children take treats from a self-serve bowl or container, use tongs or other utensils to hand out treats or put them on a table.
  • Wear a mask when you can’t keep a physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from others
  • Keep pets inside on Halloween. Costumes and loud noises may scare them.

Community members:

  • Contact police if you notice anything suspicious or require assistance.

Wishing everyone a fang-tastic and safe night!

Stay tuned to our social media sites for more Halloween safety tips:

  • Facebook: Halifax Regional Police
  • Twitter: @HfxRegPolice