Halloween in Calgary: How to help keep trick-or-treaters safe

A stock photo of a woman trick-or-treating with kids. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)

As children across Calgary put the finishing touches on their Halloween costumes, local emergency crews are sharing tips to keep trick-or-treaters safe.

The Calgary Partners for Safety will once again be patrolling city streets this Halloween – as they have for more than three decades.

Coordinated by Calgary’s Child Magazine, the group includes Calgary police, EMS, Calgary firefighters, Calgary Transit, Calgary 911 and Calgary community standards.

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Their patrols will run from 6 to 8 p.m.

Police and EMS will be in residential neighbourhoods to provide safety information and help for children and their guardians.

The Calgary Fire Department will also have vehicles on patrol, and community fire stations will be open in between emergency responses as a safe place for trick-or-treaters to ask for help.

In addition, trick-or-treaters can approach any transit vehicle they spot. Bus and CTrain operators have radios and can contact the appropriate emergency personnel if needed.

Partners in Safey has these tips to help keep trick-or-treaters safe on Halloween:

• Inform your parent(s) or guardian(s) of your route, companions and return time;
• Carry a cellphone in case plans change;
• Follow pedestrian rules: look both ways, walk instead of running and cross streets at intersections;
• Complete trick-or-treating on one side of the street before crossing to the other;
• Wear bright, reflective clothing to enhance visibility to drivers;
• Avoid shortcuts through alleys, lanes or private properties;
• Stay in well-lit, busy areas and carry a flashlight;
• Never enter a house or car while trick-or-treating; and
• Trust your instincts; if something feels off, walk away and contact a parent or trusted adult, or approach a Partners for Safety vehicle.

For more tips and more information about Partners in Safety, you can visit the City of Calgary’s website.