Lots of people are expected along area roads Thursday evening as ghosts, ghouls, goblins and other characters hunt for candy. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

all treats, no tricks

‘Head on a swivel and be prepared:’ Nanaimo drivers urged to watch for excited trick-or-treaters

Oct 31, 2024 | 5:28 AM

NANAIMO — Costumes are picked, routes mapped and kids are raring to go.

Thousands of kids are expected out Thursday evening trick-or-treating in neighbourhoods for Halloween, while regularly darting across area streets from home to home.

RCMP Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien said in many cases, the sole focus for kids on Halloween night is getting candy as quickly as possible.

“Don’t expect them to follow a certain behaviour [on area roads]. Kids get excited, they run across streets and they’re gone in a second, so motorists, please, go very slow in all residential areas, head on a swivel and be prepared to stop at a moment’s notice.”

While accidents locally linked to trick or treating are rare, they have happened and extra care and attention is always advised.

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Police will have extra presence through a number of units ensuring people are safe through the night.

O’Brien said a positive, happy Halloween starts at home with a pre-outing costume check.

“If there’s a tripping hazard, make sure you fix it and if they can’t see they’re going to trip and it’s going to ruin the evening for everybody. And is the costume visible? If not, do something about it, carry a flashlight and hold onto your little ones as much as possible.”

Kids should be able to see and freely move in their costums, as well as be bright and easy to spot for passing drivers. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

He also said after returning home, with hopefully a large haul, parents and caregivers should take a look through to ensure items are safe.

Most issues on Halloween locally stem from tainted candies.

“More along with the cannabis style and sometimes they get confused with the regular candies. Please be careful that you’ve done with the once-over with the candy, and if you think there’s something, any question at all, destroy it.”

Fireworks remain prohibited, unless a permit is obtained, inside municipalities including the City of Nanaimo and the City of Parksville.

“If you’re caught with fireworks [without a permit], they can be seized and if they’re used inappropriately you could be possibly be looking at criminal code charges.”

Qualicum Beach allows fireworks on Oct. 31 while the Regional District of Nanaimo does not regulate fireworks, instead defaulting to provincial regulations and enforcement by RCMP.

Firecrackers are considered incendiary devices and are prohibited in all areas.

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