Jack O Lantern. Photo Ed Halverson

RCMP are offering a few tips to keep kids and all ghouls and goblins safe as they head into neighbourhoods for Halloween.

They recommend costumes should be visible in the dark. Use bright colours, flashlights and reflective tape to help someone stand out against the dark night.

Make sure children can easily see all directions when wearing a mask around their eyes and if possible, use face paint instead.

Have kids go out in groups if they’re trick-or-treating without an adult, and ensure they stick to a pre-planned route and curfew to keep them from getting lost. And take a minute to go over the rules of the road with kids before they head out.

RCMP is reminding drivers they also have a role to play in ensuring a safe Halloween as well.

First, they should avoid driving in residential areas if possible.

Give themselves extra time to get to their destination and drive slowly.

Be on the lookout for trick-or-treaters who may be wearing dark clothing and may dart out in front of their vehicle.

And finally, as always, wear a seat belt, drive sober and stay focused on the road ahead.

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Photo credit: Ed Halverson

Kids trick or treating during COVID-19 have more to think about than finding the house giving out the full-size chocolate bars.

Nova Scotia’s department of public health has released detailed guidelines to enjoy a safe Halloween.

Many of the rules are already familiar such as don’t go out if you are unwell, trick or treat with no more than 10 people from your close family or social group and maintain social distance between groups.

The province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang saidone of the most important things to remember is to keep hands clean and watch where they go.

“We’re recommending instead of putting your hand on a doorknob or a doorbell, a light rap with your knuckles on the door. Both for kids getting treats and people giving out treats, we don’t want multiple hands going in a common bowl, so if you’re using a common bowl, use a pair of tongs or put out individual servings,” said Strang. “It’s important that we don’t have lots of hands going in the same place.”

Strang also says people should avoid trick or treating indoors but to wear a non-medical mask if you do.

The province’s chief medical officer of health is reminding kids to bring hand sanitizer to use often while they are out and to wash hands well before eating any candy.

COVID-19 isn’t the only concern people need to be aware of, and RCMP also released their Halloween safety guidelines.

They suggest a costume that is visible in the dark and to ensure any masks don’t obstruct a child’s vision.

Children trick or treating without an adult should have a set route planned and go with a buddy.

RCMP are advising drivers try to avoid residential areas, but if they must, they should plan a little more time for their route and drive slowly.

Dr. Strang reminds any adults planning to participate in Halloween parties that the regular gathering limits are still in place.

No more than 10 people can gather in a home, 50 people can physically distance at community events if they can maintain two metres distance and up to 200 can congregate at recognized businesses if social distancing rules can be met.

“A reminder that non-medical masks are required in indoor public places and Halloween masks don’t count unless it is a noon-medical mask that is covering your nose and mouth. And even if you’ve got great plans, if you’re feeling unwell stay the blazes home,” said Strang.

The full list of COVID-19 Halloween safety guidelines is available at this link.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Trucks outside North Queens station. Photo Credit: North Queens Fire Department

The North Queens Fire Department is opening their doors to offer kids and parents a safe way to trick or treat this year.

The North Queens Fire Association will be setting up tables for parents, kids and neighbours struggling to find a balance between following COVID-19 safety protocols and carrying on childhood traditions.

People can book a table to hand out treats to kids either by showing up Halloween night or making arrangements ahead of time by contacting the North Queens fire association through their Facebook page.

North Queens fire Chief Chris Wolfe says there will be no charge to anyone. The department just wants to provide a safe, central location for the community.

“Instead of the kids going all through the community and travelling here, there and everywhere, everybody can come there and have their own table and all the kids can just come to the hall, walk around in a circle, get their treats and be on their way,” said Wolfe.

He notes many families choose to go door to door in the subdivision across from the fire hall and hopes folks from outside the Caledonia core will take them up on their offer.

The department will start by making about 20 tables available to anyone who would like to hand out treats, but that number could increase depending on the interest from the community.

To keep traditions going for the kids, Wolfe said the community needs to find ways of adapting to the pandemic.

“Unfortunate part is, like I tell the firemen, COVID’s here and it’s not leaving so we’ve got to find new ways to do stuff,” said Wolfe.

This isn’t the first time the fire department has hosted a Halloween event, but given the state of the pandemic Wolfe said they felt it was necessary to revive the event.

“It just seems more fitting to do it this year and hopefully get a bigger turnout. Of course, they’re saying less travel is better, said Wolfe.

Anyone entering the hall will have to use hand sanitizer, wear a mask and follow social distancing requirements but Wolfe said that shouldn’t take away any of the fun of Halloween.

He says the hall will have some decorations and many fire department members will be in costume as well.

“We’re a tight-knit community and we’ve got to stick together and help one another out when we can,” said Wolfe.

He says the trucks will roll out of the bays and the fire association be ready to host all manner of ghosts and goblins between 6:00pm and 10:00pm Halloween night.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson