Public Advisory - Winnipeg Police Service

Wednesday, October 30, 2013      Winnipeg Police Service/Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service   Halloween Safety Tips     Winnipeg, MB- The Winnipeg Police Service and the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service are encouraging citizens to make Halloween a safe and enjoyable occasion.   Here are some general safety tips for everyone to consider: Try to trick-or-treat when it is still light outside. Wear a bright, reflective costume made of flame-resistant material. Carry a flashlight, and use glow sticks, or reflective tape as part of your costume. Encourage children to stay away from open flames. Ensure children know how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire. Why not use make-up instead of a mask? Masks can shift and obscure vision. To prevent falls, ensure costumes fit well and aren't too long and don't have too much loose material. Have a responsible adult go trick-or-treating with you. If someone older cannot go with you, trick-or-treat as a group. Plan your trick-or-treat route ahead of time. Pick well-lit streets. Stay on sidewalks, look left, right and left again to be sure no cars are approaching before crossing the street. Always cross the street at corners and crosswalks; never cross between parked cars or in the middle of the block. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic. Never enter the home of a stranger. Discuss with your children the route they will be travelling and what time they are required to return home. Only eat treats that have been examined by your parents. Choking occurs most frequently among children under two years of age, but can happen at any age. Eating while playing, running, jumping, or talking increases the likelihood of choking. ATTENTION DRIVERS! Children will be very excited and their actions could be sudden and unpredictable. Exercise caution and Just Slow Down.  Your home for Halloween: Make sure your home is well lit, your yard clear and safe, and pets are secured so no harm comes to them or the children. Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs and heaters. It is safest to use a flashlight or battery-operated candles in a Jack-o-lantern. If you use a real candle, use extreme caution. Make sure children are supervised when candles are lit. Be sure to place lit pumpkins well away from anything that can burn and far enough out of the way of trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, walkways and yards. Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes. Children should not use knives or other sharp instruments to carve pumpkins.  A safe and happy Halloween to everyone!     For further information contact either: Constable Jason Michalyshen, Public Information Officer Constable Eric Hofley, Public Information Officer Detective Sergeant Natalie Aitken, Public Information Officer Phone: (204) 986-3061 | Fax: (204) 986-3267 | Email: WPS-PIO@Winnipeg.ca Share this mailing with your social network by clicking on the appropriate link:       Related Winnipeg Police Service Report a Crime Online Crime Stoppers CrimeStat Unsubscribe If you do not want to receive these emails anymore, unsubscribe. Please do not reply to this email. This e-mail was sent from a notification-only address and replies are not monitored. Mailing address: City of Winnipeg, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3B 1B9 Privacy Statement The City of Winnipeg values your privacy. We do not sell or share your personal information with third parties. You are receiving this email as a result of your signing up for the Winnipeg Police Service Email News list offered on the City of Winnipeg website. You may unsubscribe or change your subscription options at any time.