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Halloween Safety 101 for Ghosts & Goblins

Rogers Pumpkin Patrol Shares Trick-or-Treat Safety Tips

TORONTO, Oct. 28, 2011 /CNW/ – As families across Canada count down to
the spookiest night of the year, the Rogers Pumpkin Patrol is preparing
to once again monitor trick-or-treaters on neighbourhood streets across
Ontario and parts of Eastern Canada. On October 31st, 2011, trained Rogers employees in the Patrol will travel in Rogers
vans equipped with Rogers mobile phones to volunteer their time to
provide a watchful eye and stay connected in case of emergencies.

“The Rogers Pumpkin Patrol is there to not only provide a safe night for
trick-or-treaters, but also to offer peace of mind for parents,” said
Leigh-Ann Popek, Senior Manager, Public Affairs, Rogers Communications
Inc. “We are committed to the communities in which we work and live,
and it’s thanks to the dedication of our employees that we are able to
provide this service.”

To help families have a safe trick-or-treating experience, the Rogers
Pumpkin Patrol offers the following tips and tricks:

  1. Ensure costumes are fitted. Make sure your child’s Halloween costume is made of flame-resistant
    materials and is well fitted. Costumes that drag on the ground can pose
    a tripping hazard, which can be a serious danger if kids fall while
    crossing the street. Masks, hats and other accessories should also fit
    your child properly without inhibiting their vision. Halloween makeup
    is a safer option.

  2. Make sure your children can be seen. Visibility is a very important safety consideration. Flashlights with
    fresh batteries, glow sticks and reflective tape are must-haves on
    Halloween and will enable drivers to see kids as they go from
    door-to-door.

  3. Always trick-or-treat in groups. Accompany your children when they go out trick-or-treating.  Older
    children may want to go with friends. If so, plan a route and make them
    carry a fully charged cell phone in case they get separated from the
    group.

  4. Check Halloween candy carefully. Treat your kids to a Halloween snack before they head out so that they
    are less likely to eat the candy they gather before you have a chance
    to inspect their loot bags. Teach your children never to eat treats
    that are in packages that have been opened, show pinholes or have other
    damage. And remember, avoid homemade treats or fruit unless they are
    from a family member or close friend.

  5. Find help. Teach your children to find a police officer or go to a red Rogers van
    if they are lost or need help while trick-or-treating.

The Rogers Pumpkin Patrol recommends parents review the safety tips with
their children before they head out on Halloween and remind them they
can safely approach a police officer or volunteers driving red Rogers
vans if they need assistance.

About Pumpkin Patrol
Working with local police departments, the Rogers Pumpkin Patrol is a
Halloween Safety program conducted by Rogers employee volunteers who
keep a watchful eye on the little ghosts and goblins in the communities
they serve.

For more information and safety tips for trick-or-treating, visit www.pumpkinpatrol.com.