Kids in the Know

Put safety in their treat bag - Buddies make Halloween a little less scary

October 30, 2014
For Immediate Release

WINNIPEG, MB: Canadian kids are getting ready to transform into their favourite characters and head out in neighbourhoods across the country to trick-or-treat.

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection (Canadian Centre) wants to remind parents and caregivers that Halloween is an important time to review safety strategies with their children. The buddy system is a fundamental safety strategy for children in all age groups, whether they’re heading out to trick-or-treat or going to a Halloween party with friends. Children who use the buddy system everyday reduce their likelihood of being victimized. The Billy Brings his Buddies program was created to help parents and teachers start the practical conversation about the buddy system with children in Grade 1.

“The buddy system is a safety strategy that should play an integral role in children’s lives, and what better time to practice it then on Halloween,” says Noni Classen, Director of Education at the Canadian Centre. “To make this Friday a safe and fun Halloween, we encourage parents to take a few minutes between selecting the costumes, buying candy, and face painting to talk about the buddy system with their children.”

Through the fun and interactive activities and lessons, including the Billy brings his Buddies Halloween Game available on the BillyBuddy.ca website, younger children learn how and when to choose a “safe buddy.” With support from Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the Canadian Centre was able to update the games on the BillyBuddy.ca website while adding four brand new games compatible with SMART Board technology.

The Canadian Centre and Honeywell Hometown Solutions encourage educators and parents to teach and review safety strategies that will help children stay safe all year round. Visit BillyBuddy.ca to learn more. Educators can look forward to receiving a Billy Brings his Buddies Teacher Kit in November which will include a home activity for parents to complete with their children.

Honeywell Hometown Solutions focuses on five areas of vital importance: Science & Math Education, Family Safety & Security, Housing & Shelter, Habitat & Conservation, and Humanitarian Relief. Together with leading public and non-profit institutions, Honeywell has developed powerful programs like Billy Brings his Buddies, to address these needs in the communities it serves.

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection has numerous programs and educational resources for older age groups and their parents. For additional information on safety strategies, or to learn more about issues affecting youth, go to kidsintheknow.ca and cybertip.ca.

-30-

About the Canadian Centre for Child Protection: The Canadian Centre for Child Protection (protectchildren.ca) is a charitable organization dedicated to the personal safety of all children. The goal of the Canadian Centre is to reduce child victimization by providing programs and services to the Canadian public. Its four national programs include Cybertip.ca (www.cybertip.ca), Canada’s tipline to report the online sexual exploitation of children; MissingKids.ca (www.missingkids.ca), a national missing children resource and response centre; Kids in the Know (www.kidsintheknow.ca), an interactive child personal safety program for children in Kindergarten to high school; and Commit to Kids (www.commit2kids.ca), a program to help child-serving organizations create safer environments for the children in their care and reduce their risk of sexual abuse.