Keeping Calgary’s ghouls and goblins safe this Halloween

With freezing temperatures expected in Calgary on Halloween night, there is a warning for trick and treaters — watch out for that sidewalk snow, and don’t forget to wear your winter boots!                                                                        

“Be careful so you don’t trip on your Halloween costumes and don’t slip on the ice,” Calgary Fire Department junior fire chief Mustafa Mohammadi told CityNews. “And have fun.”

Calgary 911 says after New Year’s Eve, Halloween is their second busiest night every year; and with freezing temperatures still expected Tuesday night, trick and treaters are being warned about snowy sidewalks and slippery stairs.

“First of all proper footwear is really important and then not not having costumes that are too long, making sure that all the walkways are clear of snow and ice so you can put salt on the walkways and most of the residential fire stations have sand like that pickle mix available that you can sprinkle on,” said Carol Henke, public information officer with the Calgary Fire Department.

Henke is also warning homeowners not to use real candles or fire for decorating houses but to use LED lights instead. 

Calgary Police are advising trick and treaters to wear bright clothes and be safe on the roads.

Robert Patterson, Staff Sergeant, Calgary Police Service Traffic Section

“I just think we should be aware, obviously there’s lots of moms and dads and little ones running around. But there’s also older kids that aren’t running around with parents,” said Staff Sgt. Robert Patterson with the Calgary Police Service Traffic Section.

“So it’s super important that they stay in groups and they don’t zigzag across the streets. And at least have a plan before you go out so that people are aware of where you guys are.”

EMS says kids need to try their shoes and costumes ahead of the Halloween day so they are comfortable and so they know the clothes won’t impede vision or their ability to walk, especially on stairs.

They say to have fun but with responsibility, so no one ends up calling 911 with bizarre reports.

“The majority of the calls that we get are for robberies involving little kids getting their candy stolen, speeders for sure in the residential areas,” said Glenda Sahlen, deputy chief of Calgary 911 Operations.

“The strangest are Scream masks and Michael Myers going around intentionally scaring kids.”

Calgary Police also warn parents not to hand out candies to their kids without checking them personally. And, they say the Calgary Fire department and Calgary Police will be out patrolling on Halloween night.