Halloween is an exciting time for kids and a chance for neighbours to say hello or join the fun at the Colwood Fire Hall Halloween Bonfire.

Reminders for trick or treaters

All these night time Halloween festivities are best enjoyed with a measure of safety, because the fun ends quickly if someone gets hurt.

• Halloween is more fun when shared with friends - kids should never go alone (even superheroes have sidekicks). A cell phone is a great safety net for older kids.
• Can you see? Make sure your mask, wig, hat or cyclops eye doesn't mean you are tripping, getting hurt and heading home early.
• Can people see you? Add something reflective or bright to your costume or candy bag so people can see you.
• Only trick or treat at houses with lights turned on and NEVER enter a stranger's house, even if you are invited.
• Let your parents go through treats and toss out any sketchy, open or unpackaged treats before you dig in.
• Don’t criss-cross streets or run out from between parked vehicles. The gory stuff is meant to be pretend, not an actual car accident.

If  you are driving on Halloween

• Slow down and expect kids to pop out at any time. Don't forget they are excited and sugared up.
• NEVER drink and drive.

Homeowners entertaining ghosts and ghouls at the door

• If you are participating in Halloween, keep your lights on and porch or walkway clear of things kids could trip on.
• Lighted pumpkins should be placed away from flammable objects and should never be left unattended. Better yet, use a small flashlight or glow stick in jack-o-lanterns.
• Fireworks are not allowed in the City of Colwood unless you have taken a fireworks safety course and have obtained a permit.
• Pet owners should keep their animals inside while trick or treaters are out and about. Pets and kids can both be a little unpredictable with all the Halloween excitement.

A word about fireworks

Anyone wishing to use fireworks must obtain a permit for fireworks from City Hall and produce a current safety course certificate from a local fireworks safety discharge course or higher pyrotechnical certification. There are several safety courses offered this October. More details can be found in Bylaw 891.

Have a permit? Follow these common sense precautions to reduce the risk of injury or damage from fireworks:

• Never point or throw fireworks at anyone or anything.
• Never hold fireworks in your hand while lighting them.
• Never attempt to re-light or move fireworks that fail to go off.
• Only those 18 years of older, with a permit, may possess or discharge fireworks
• Firecrackers and bottle rockets are prohibited throughout Canada by federal regulation.
• Choose a safe outdoor area for discharging fireworks: a bare area of ground away from buildings, overhead obstructions, trees, vehicles, dry grass and other flammables.
• Spectators should watch from a safe distance, at least 20 metres upwind.
• Either a garden hose or a large bucket of water or sand should be ready at the site.

Understanding the dangers of fireworks

• Five to 10 children are admitted to BC Children’s hospital with fireworks injuries each year
• The most frequent injuries are burns to the hands and face, blindness and hearing loss
• In one year, about 51,000 fires resulted in $37 million in property damage in North America
• Many fireworks are manufactured overseas with little or no quality control, there are no manufacturing standards in North America

Source: BC Children’s Hospital