Tips to keep kids safe while trick-or-treating

As people of all ages prepare their Halloween costumes, everyone should remember that safety is the key to a fun Halloween evening.

The American Red Cross, Department of Home Security and many other organizations have offered the following tips to keep trick-or-treaters safe this Halloween:

Tips for trick-or-treaters and parents or guardians of trick-or-treaters

• See and be seen

  • Use facial makeup instead of masks that make it difficult to see.

  • Give trick-or-treaters a flashlight to light their way.

  • Add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.

  • Ask everyone to wear light-colored clothing

• Know where your children are going. Accompany small children

• Visit homes only with the porch lights on

• Accept treats at the door, never go inside

• Adults should check the candy before eating it

  • Be sure to remove loose candy, open packaging, and choking hazards.

  • Discard any items with brand names you are not familiar with.

• Watch out for turning or reversing cars. Teach your children never to run into the street or walk between parked cars.

  • According to the Department of Home Security, children are twice as likely to be injured in a car or pedestrian accident on Halloween than any other day of the year.

• Be aware of and avoid open flames such as candles in jack-o-lanterns

Tips for people welcoming trick-or-treaters

• Light the area well so young visitors can see

• Restrain pets so they don’t jump or bite trick-or-treaters

Driving on Halloween

• Slow down and be aware of children in the neighborhood

• Turn on the headlights

• Take extra time to look for children at intersections, medians and curbs

• Enter and exit driveways slowly