With Halloween quickly approaching, Coquitlam is reminding residents about fire safety tips and other safety precautions to help trick-or-treaters of all ages as well as the community-at-large to have a safe and fun night.
COQUITLAM, B.C., Oct. 26, 2020 – With Halloween quickly approaching, Coquitlam is reminding residents about fire safety tips and other safety precautions to help trick-or-treaters of all ages as well as the community-at-large to have a safe and fun night.
- Choose costumes that are bright or reflective and don’t drag on the ground.
- Ensure kids can see clearly through masks.
- Provide children with flashlights or glow sticks to increase visibility.
- Use battery-operated candles for jack-o-lanterns and other decorations.
- Keep matches, lighters and candles out of children’s reach.
- Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper catch fire easily. Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources.
- Remember to keep exits from your home clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes.
- Make sure all smoke alarms in the home are working.
- Ensure children are extra careful with sparklers as they account for roughly one-quarter of emergency room fireworks’ injuries.
For more information, visit www.coquitlam.ca/seasonalsafety.
Staying Healthy During Halloween 2020
Halloween this year will require some extra care to ensure the safety of everyone, and the the following tips from the BC Centre for Disease Control can help avoid spreading the coronavirus this Halloween:
- Skip Halloween parties this year and socialize within your social or family bubble.
- Try including a mask or face-covering in costumes, and wear one if handing out candy or if you can’t distance from others.
- Trick-or-treat in groups of up to six people, and maintain distance from both other trick-or-treaters and those handing out candy.
- Stick to your neighbourhood, and respect homes with the lights out by staying away.
- Wash or sanitize your hands frequently throughout the evening, whether giving or receiving treats.
- If handing out treats, consider tongs, a baking sheet or a candy slide to keep your distance from trick-or-treaters. Only hand out sealed, pre-packaged treats.
- Consider standing outside to give out treats to prevent children from crowding doorways and having to knock or ring bells.
- Disinfect door knobs, handrails and other high-touch surfaces often throughout the evening.
See the Social Interactions section at www.bccdc.ca/covid19 for more tips.
Safety Tips for Drivers
Expect the unexpected – slow down and look for pedestrians. There may be more foot traffic on Halloween night and the chance of a serious or fatal collision increases when there are lots of kids and teens out on the streets. Give yourself extra time to navigate residential streets while driving.
Media contact:
Denise Ziebart
Fire Inspector
City of Coquitlam
604-927-6432
dziebart@coquitlam.ca