(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
October 30, 2014 - 4:31 PM
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The first thing that comes to mind on Halloween is safety, at least for parents. Kids are only thinking about the candy and costumes, but there are ways to help keep them safe on Halloween night, even if it’s the last thing on their minds.
Always make sure young children are accompanied by an adult or responsible older child. Incorporate visibility aids, such as reflectors or lights, in all costumes. Do not criss cross back and forth across the street to trick or treat, only cross at intersections, crosswalks or street corners and remind kids to always look both ways before crossing.
Remind children to never enter anyone’s house or vehicle and let them know all B.C. Transit buses are safe place to go if you are lost or separated from your group. In Kelowna, trick or treaters can look for Central Okanagan Search and Rescue members if they need help. The volunteers will be out patrolling and handing out candy.
Drivers should also exercise additional caution on Halloween. Drive slowly in residential areas, stay alert and expect the unexpected.
ICBC reports an average of 120 people are injured in 83 crashes every Halloween night in B.C. and with weekly pedestrian crashes peaking on Fridays between 3-6 p.m., extra precautions are needed. In the Southern Interior an average of 15 people are injured in nine crashes on Halloween night.
Halloween is also a common night for vehicle vandalism, so try to park in a well-lit area, remove valuables and make sure your vehicle is locked. If you’re heading to a Halloween party and plan on drinking, make arrangements for a designated driver, taxi or transit ride.
Kamloops RCMP started distributing reflectors to pedestrians earlier this week and Kelowna RCMP followed suit Thursday as RCMP and ICBC launch a province-wide pedestrian safety campaign. On average 12 pedestrians are killed and 240 pedestrians injured in crashes in the Southern Interior every year.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infonews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014