IBC Top 10: Tips to keep your Halloween fun and safe

EDMONTON, Oct. 29, 2014 /CNW/ - With the excitement of trick-or-treating, Halloween can be a time when little ones forget what they know about safety. Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) offers its top 10 tips to help keep Halloween safe and fun for everyone involved.

"Halloween can be a fun and exciting evening for many Western Canadians, but it can also be a very busy time on our streets," said Bill Adams, Vice-President, Western and Pacific, IBC. "We are reminding parents and motorists to take some important safety measures to keep everyone safe on Halloween night."

IBC's top 10 tips to keep your Halloween fun and safe are as follows:

1. If driving, stay well below the speed limit and give yourself extra time to get to your destination.
   • If possible, avoid driving between the hours of 6 and 9 p.m. when most trick-or-treating takes place.
2. Pay extra attention to what is going on around you when driving. 
   • Keep an eye out for children darting across the street, especially between parked cars.
   • When pulling in or out of driveways, stay alert to your surroundings.
3. Refrain, at all times, from using a cell phone while driving.
4. Equip your trick-or-treater with a flashlight.
5. Consider using makeup instead of a mask to make sure your trick-or-treater has a clear, unobstructed view.
   • If a mask is necessary, enlarge the eyes or push it up while walking.
6. Avoid costumes with dark colours or use reflective tape.
7. Accompany your child or if they are old enough, make sure they are with a responsible group of friends.
8. Plan a trick-or-treating route close to home and confirm a time of return.
9. Visit only well-lit houses and never go inside.
10. Halloween is not just for the young – if you are attending a party and have plans to consume alcohol, make arrangements to get a ride home.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is pleased to celebrate 50 years as a valuable resource for insurance information. Since 1964, IBC has been working with governments across Canada to make our communities safer, championing issues that directly affect Canadians and the property and casualty (P&C) insurance industry. IBC is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent 90% of the P&C insurance market in Canada. The P&C insurance industry employs over 118,600 Canadians, pays more than $7 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $48 billion.

To view media releases and other information, visit the media section of IBC's website at www.ibc.ca. Follow IBC on Twitter @InsuranceBureau and @IBC_West or like us on Facebook.

If you require more information, IBC spokespeople are available to discuss the details in this media release.

Image with caption: "IBC Top 10: Tips to keep your Halloween fun and safe (CNW Group/Insurance Bureau of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141029_C6765_PHOTO_EN_7251.jpg

SOURCE: Insurance Bureau of Canada

To schedule an interview, please contact: Celyeste Power, Manager, Media Relations, Insurance Bureau of Canada, 416-362-2031 ext. 4312 (daytime), 647-384-9872 (after hours), [email protected]