All the little ghosts, goblins and superheroes will be out trick-or-treating and full of excitement on October 31. While their focus is on the candy, Manitoba Public Insurance’s (MPI) focus is on keeping them safe while they have fun.

Through its 2025 Halloween Pedestrian Safety Promotion, MPI has provided 86,580 wearable flashing safety lights to children from Kindergarten through Grade 6 in 370 schools throughout the province, as well as several daycare centres. The flashing 47mm LED lights can easily be clipped to a costume and can be used year-round. An in-class lesson and a cartoon YouTube video about pedestrian safety and being seen at night was also provided to teachers and parents as part of the program.

“With eight pedestrian collisions on October 31 over the past four years, and 15 pedestrians killed this year, MPI knows that protecting the youngest Manitobans while they are out on our roadways has never been more important,” said Maria Campos, Vice President & Chief Customer and Product Officer for MPI. “Halloween is meant to be a night of fun, so let’s work together to keep it that way and get all our children home safely. This night is a great opportunity to talk to kids about road safety and show them that we all have a part to play.”

MPI encourages all road users to follow these safety tips:

For trick-or-treaters:

  • Look all ways for traffic before crossing the street
  • Never cross between parked cars
  • Use corners and crosswalks as they are the safest places to cross
  • Be seen by wearing reflective clothing or costumes
  • Always walk – never run – across the street
  • In neighbourhoods with no sidewalks, always walk facing traffic on the left-hand edge of the roadway

For motorists:

  • Slow down, especially when you see children walking
  • Don’t assume children see your vehicle. Children are unpredictable and can run out in front of your vehicle
  • Be prepared to stop at a moment’s notice
  • Watch for children who may dart between parked vehicles
  • Stop and yield right-of-way to all pedestrians about to cross at marked and unmarked crosswalks
  • Do not pass traffic ahead of you that is slowing down or stopped for pedestrians using crosswalks. Not only is it unsafe; it is also illegal

MPI hopes everyone has a fun and safe Halloween!