(HURON COUNTY, ON) – An exciting Halloween safety initiative will take place in the towns of Exeter and Goderich tonight. Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) along with community partners from Huron Victim Services and the Coalition for Huron Injury Prevention (C.H.I.P) are launching “Project Safe Halloween†in Huron County. “Project Safe Halloween†has been a resounding success in several communities in the North West Region of Ontario and now thanks to a local partnership with our district school boards over a thousand school-aged children in Goderich and Exeter will be glowing.
The community partnership has raised funds to purchase glow sticks for each child attending elementary schools in Goderich and Exeter. In addition to distributing glow sticks to each child, children will receive a Halloween safety presentation and a Halloween activity/tip sheet for the children to take home to their parents.
“Project Safe Halloween is a real fun way to work together to remind children and their caregivers about safety. We are excited to see our little ghosts and goblins walking around tonight with their glow sticks. Based on the success of this program in other communities I anticipate this program will be a glowing success.†– Laura Armstrong C.H.I.P representative.
Parents and children are reminded of some simple safety tips for trick or treating:
Be Seen! Wear your glow stick, use a flashlight, and add reflective tape to your treat bag and costume.
Always travel in groups, make sure there are at least two or more people with you at all times.
Plan your route before you leave your house and ensure your parents know where you are going to be. Take a cell phone with you.
Don’t visit a home that is not well lit up, and NEVER go inside a stranger’s home.
Walk on the sidewalk whenever it is possible. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the side of the road facing traffic.
Always look both ways for traffic before crossing the street.
Do not criss-cross back and forth across the street. Work your way down one side of the street, then start on the other.
Avoid eating unwrapped candy and homemade treats from strangers.
Motorists are also reminded to drive with extra care while driving throughout our neighbourhoods tonight. Huron County OPP looks forward to a safe and spooktacular Halloween.
For more information regarding Project Safe Halloween or to learn how to become involved, please contact Provincial Constable Jamie Stanley.