Police reminding Hatters to be safe on Halloween

“You’re definitely going to see an increase of pedestrian traffic and children, and probably parents driving their children,” said Sgt. Darlene Garrecht, with the Medicine Hat Police Service’s Community Safety unit.

For those out trick-or-treating, Garrecht says parents should make sure a child’s costume is either bright in colour, or includes reflective tape on it, so it can be seen easier in the dark. Children should also use face paint rather than masks for their costumes, noting a mask could limit a child’s vision.

With a high of only four degrees Celsius in the forecast tomorrow, those out trick-or-treating also need to be dressed for the weather.

She says trick-or-treaters should stick to the sidewalk and only cross at the end of the block or in crosswalks to stay safe.

Garrecht adds drivers need to be aware of their surroundings at all times.

“We want drivers to obviously slow down,” she said. “There’s going to have lots of children, and they’re going to be very excited, and some of them may run out on to the streets, so we want people to be slowing down, be cognizant of the extra pedestrians, and make sure they’re stopped at all intersections, and just being aware of all the children who are going to be walking around trick or treating.”

Garrecht adds parents also should inspect their children’s candy once they get home, and throw out any candy that is unwrapped.

And, if adults are attending Halloween parties and decide to drink alcohol, they need to ensure they have a designated driver to get home safely.

by Charles Lefebvre

Police reminding Hatters to be safe on Halloween

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