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KAMLOOPS - It's that time of year again: Any minute now children dressed as witches, monsters and zombies will take the streets, but police in Kamloops are reminding them to be safe.

Kamloops RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jodi Shelkie says in a news release that there are several different things trick-or-treaters and their parents can do to stay safe this Halloween.

Shelkie says wearing makeup instead of a mask will allow you to see and be aware of everything going on around you while walking house to house. If you do wear a mask, make sure the eye holes are big enough to see through clearly.

Wear reflective clothing, make sure your costume does not drag on the ground so you don't trip, wear comfortable shoes, carry a flashlight, walk don't run and stay in familiar neighbourhoods.

Trick-or-treaters are also advised to stay on the sidewalk, but if there is no sidewalk, walk on the left side of the road facing traffic, do not cut across yards or driveways, obey traffic signalds and give traffic the right of way, only approach homes that have the outside lights turned on.

Shelkie says to stay away from pets you don't know, trick-or-treat in groups or with your parents or older siblings, never enter a stranger's home or car for a treat, never go into alleys, parking lots, wooded areas, or vacant lots, stay away from anyone with firecrackers, don't pick up any fireworks, and start and finish trick-or-treating early.

As for parents, discuss with your children what they should do in case of emergency, accompany young children, wear a costume made of flame retardant material, tell children to bring candy home to be inspected before eating any, look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks suspect, and make sure your yard is clear of things that could trip young ones.

Shelkie says pets should be kept inside to protect them from cars or inadvertently biting someone, folks should consider battery-powered Jack-O-Lantern candles instead of a real flame, and pumpkins and decorations should be kept out of children's reach.

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