Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!

Safety tips shared by the Amherstburg Police Service

Posted By Ron Giofu/The Amherstburg Echo

Updated 1 month ago

Participants march in the costume parade as part of "Pumpkinville" held Saturday in Toddy Jones Park. Scarecrows were made by kids and local businesses, pumpkins were carved and food was served as part of the Rotary Club's second annual event.(Photo: Ron Giofu/The Amherstburg Echo)

AMHERSTBURG — With Halloween fast approaching, the Amherstburg Police Service is giving tips to kids, parents and homeowners on how to stay safe.

Sr. Const. Joan Lovell, the department’s community services officer, advises trick-or-treaters to not go out alone and at least go in pairs. Also, kids should stay in areas that they know.

“Don’t go into areas you are unfamiliar with,” she advises. “Stay in your own neighbourhood.”

While out canvassing their neighbourhoods for candy, trick-or-treaters should be clearly visible to motorists and others who are out that night. Reflective items on clothing should be worn and flashlights should be carried with light-coloured costumed recommended. Face paint is recommended over masks but if a mask is going to be worn, police advise that the eye holes be big enough so the child can see clearly and unobstructed.

Children are advised to walk and not to run. Crossing the street should be done at corners and kids are asked not to go up one side of a street and then down the other instead of going back-and-forth repeatedly across a street.

Trick-or-treating close to home also has advantages when it comes to collecting candy. Parents would have a better idea of where any suspicious candy is given and where any suspicious activity is going on.

“If the wrapper is loose, tampered with or has come off, throw it out. Don’t even mess with it,” says Lovell. “If anyone finds anything suspicious, notify police.”

Drivers, including those taking their kids from house to house in the rural areas, are advised to keep their eyes open for children that may go into the roadway and for other motorists also out that night.

There are also safety and liability concerns for homeowners. While handing out candy, homes should be well lit and porches and steps should be obstruction-free. Lovell said that pumpkins placed on the edges of porches or steps can impede young children and force them to reach further to use a handrail.

“It’s not a good place to put a pumpkin,” she says. “It’s not safe for little ones to be climbing up.”

Putting away garden houses, making sure lawn ornaments or rocks are well lit and obvious and keep obstructions out of the way is also advised.

“Understand kids are going to be cutting across lawns and not using sidewalks,” said Lovell.

When residents run out of candy, the house should be in total darkness so kids know to skip that home and move on to the next house.

Lovell points out that police will have extra patrols on both Devil’s Night and Halloween night with the Amherstburg Radio Club stepping up with their volunteer efforts that night as well. Schoolyards, parks and other areas kids shouldn’t gather at night will be patrolled.

“There will be zero tolerance,” says Lovell.

Lovell notes that anyone caught egging homes or cars, soaping windows, toilet papering other people’s property or doing anything similar will face mischief charges.

While police regularly advise vehicle owners to lock their vehicles and not leave anything valuable inside, they remind owners once again to lock up those nights as well.

“Don’t be afraid to call police if you see suspicious activity,” adds Lovell, with the number for police dispatch being 519-736-3622.