Sask. police share tricks to safely secure Halloween treats

As the countdown to candy is almost over for trick-or-treaters, members of the Regina and Saskatoon police services are sending out some safety reminders before people head out on the spooky night.

Both Regina Police Service acting police chief Lorilee Davies and Saskatoon Police Service constable David Clarke said one of their top safety concerns for the evening centers around drivers.

Read more:

For everyone behind the wheel on Oct. 31, “take that extra time, have your eyes wide open in terms of looking for little ghosts and goblins out there and just be really mindful about pedestrians,” Davies said.

Clarke and Davies pointed out that little ones will be excited tonight and consequently might not be paying much attention to looking both ways and using proper crosswalks.

So, it’s crucial to “eliminate distracted driving for yourself. Make sure your music’s turned down. Make sure you’re not eating or drinking while you’re driving around,” CAA Saskatchewan Senior Communications Specialist Angel Blair said, adding that driving slower than the speed limit in residential areas is also a good move.

“We don’t want any sort of Halloween tragedy,” Davies said.

But, it’s not just drivers who can help prevent tragedies, with kids and their parents also playing an important role in the evening’s safety.

In addition to using designated pedestrian crossings, that means staying visible as it gets darker.

“Remember to stay in well-lit streets and potentially to add reflectors or glow-sticks to darker costumes and potentially carry a flashlight,” Clarke said.

Staying safe also includes reminders to kids about “stranger danger” before they go knocking on random people’s doors.

“We ask the kids only go up to houses that have a porch light or a well-lit front of the house and to only go up to the front door, never to enter the home, even if they’re invited to do so by the homeowner,” Clarke said, adding that trick-or-treaters also shouldn’t approach or enter cars.

Blair also added how using face paint or makeup instead of masks ensures young ones aren’t walking around with obstructed vision or hearing.

Once the sweets are safely secured, parents should also check their kids’ candy in case anything’s been opened or tampered with.

“Not that we have run across any of those instances, but it’s always better to err on the side of caution,” Davies said.

With that same err of caution, Davies is holding out hope for a Halloween filled with “more treating and not tricking,” although a few years back that wasn’t the case.

“We certainly had instances where we had some things that I would categorize as mischief,” she said.

She clarified how people should report instances of property damage, which means more than just having to wipe off an egg or two from your home.

Both of the major cities will have extra officers out and about on Halloween.

But, even with all the safety considerations, Clarke said the perks of the holiday are interacting with the kids.

“They’re so fun and kids are just so excited to be out there,” he said, adding how he often carried a box of candy while on Halloween patrol to give out to trick-or-treaters.