Save a life this Halloween by reducing your speed

Safe Kids Canada and FedEx Express Canada offer tips on how to make trick-or-treating safe and fun for children

TORONTO, Oct. 18 /CNW/ - Each year, almost 2,000 children in Canada are injured in pedestrian-related incidents. This Halloween, Safe Kids Canada and FedEx Express Canada are reminding parents and drivers to make safety a priority and obey the rules of the road, not just while the children are trick-or-treating, but every day of the year.

"Keeping kids safe during Halloween and throughout the year involves a commitment from parents and drivers," said Pamela Fuselli, Executive Director, Safe Kids Canada. "An important first step is to teach your kids how to be safe pedestrians. Practice the safety rules with them and set a good example by reinforcing safe behaviour year round. Drivers also play a role, by slowing down on the roads and driving the speed limit."

To help parents and children prepare for Halloween, Safe Kids Canada recommends:

• Children under the age of nine should be accompanied by an adult or responsible older child, since they lack the developmental skills to cross the street on their own.
• Teach your child to stop at the curb, look left, right and left again, and to listen for oncoming traffic.
• Select costumes with bright colours to increase your child's visibility and choose face paint instead of masks.
• Always cross at crosswalks, street corners or intersections - it's unsafe to cross between parked cars or other obstacles.
• Stay on the sidewalk when walking from house to house and if there is no sidewalk, walk beside the road, facing traffic so drivers can see you.

To help drivers prepare for Halloween, Safe Kids Canada recommends:

• Drive slowly in residential areas where children are more likely to be trick-or-treating.
• Watch out for kids, many of whom will be wearing costumes that limit their vision.
• Reduce distractions, such as cell phones or loud music, and stay alert.
• Reduce your speed during peak trick-or-treating hours.

For more on Halloween safety or the year round Walk this Way program, visit www.safekidscanada.ca, or call 1-888-SAFE-TIP (723-3847).

Safe Kids Canada is generously funded by FedEx Express Canada to provide the Walk This Way pedestrian safety program year-round, providing education, resources and support for parents and community groups to increase the safety of their streets.

About Safe Kids Canada
Safe Kids Canada's mission is to lead and inspire a culture of safety across the country in order to reduce unintentional injuries, the leading cause of death among children and youth in Canada. As a national leader, Safe Kids Canada uses a collaborative and innovative approach to develop partnerships, conduct research, raise awareness and advocate in order to prevent serious injuries among children, youth and their families. Our vision is Fewer Injuries. Healthier Children. A Safer Canada. Safe Kids Canada is the national injury prevention program of The Hospital for Sick Children.

About FedEx Express Canada
Federal Express Canada Ltd. is a global logistics and transportation company offering domestic and international shipping and electronic commerce solutions. The company uses advanced package status tracking systems, automated customs clearance services and a dedicated air and ground transportation network to serve Canadian and global markets. FedEx Express Canada employs approximately 5,000 people in over 60 facilities coast-to-coast. For more information, visit www.fedex.ca.

For further information:

Kelly Mills
Safe Kids Canada
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]