Glow sticks being given to students once again

Family and Children’s Services here has been distributing glow sticks to help keep children safe on Hallowe’en for the past five years—and 2007 is no exception.
With support and assistance from the Rainy River Valley Safety Coalition, FACS has been able to expand this project, taking it district-wide for the second-consecutive year.
Betty-Anne MacKintosh, with FACS, explained the glow sticks will be handed out to every student in JK-Grade 8 through the schools while younger children can obtain these night lights from local municipal offices in Atikokan, Emo, Devlin, and Rainy River.
Last year, “Project Safe Hallowe’en” only included glow sticks for students in JK-Grade 6, so FACS is pleased to see the project continuing to grow.
“The glow sticks act as night lights that can be worn as a necklace by children as they trick-or-treat to make them more visible to motorists,” MacKintosh noted.
Once activated, they glow brightly and will last all evening, but likely will not last for more than one day.
“They’re quite popular and it’s all about safety,” stressed RRVSC member Pete LeDrew, who was distributing the glow sticks to schools on Monday.
Then on Oct. 30. principals and teachers will hand out glow sticks to each student, along with a Hallowe’en safety tip sheet for parents.
These include:
•Children should be accompanied by an adult. If they are unaccompanied, parents should know the route they will be taking and teach them their phone number and how to call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency or become lost;
•Instruct children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined; and
•Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure shoes fit well and costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement, or contact with flames.
The Fort Frances Fire Department also will be handing out glow sticks at the fire station from 3:30-6:30 p.m. on Oct. 31. As well, they can be obtained from the FACS office in Fort Frances or Atikokan anytime until 5 p.m. that day.
For more information, call FACS at 274-7787.