With Halloween right around the corner, here are some tips to help you and your family stay safe and out of harm’s way as you trick or treat. While many of these tips are common sense, it’s always good to be reminded—especially when there are excited, sugared-up kids involved!

10 Tips to Keep Your Ghosts and Ghouls Safe This Halloween

1. Instead of an open flame, use battery-operated candles or glow sticks inside your jack-o-lantern.
2. When choosing costumes, steer your child away from ones with trailing fabrics that could cause trip and fall accidents. You also want to look for costumes made from flame-retardant materials.
3. Before painting your child’s face, test makeup or face paint on a small area to ensure it doesn’t cause a reaction on your child’s skin.
4. Check the weather forecast before heading out and plan accordingly. Carry water bottles, so you and your child can stay cool and hydrated in heavy costumes and masks.
5. Enhance visibility by carrying flashlights, wearing glow necklaces, or placing reflective tape on clothing.
6. Walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic. Cross streets at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
7. Pay attention. Take a few photos and videos of the kids before heading out from the house, but then put your phone away and stay aware of what’s happening around you.
8. Allow your child only to enjoy treats that are commercially wrapped.
9. If your child doesn’t know your phone number by heart, purchase a phone number bracelet or write it on an index card and slip it in their treat bag. It will be crucial if the two of you get separated.
10. If you must drive in a residential area during trick-or-treating hours, please slow way down and be on high alert for children darting into the road.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!