•  Have a family meeting to go over safety rules before anyone goes out door-to- door.  Generally, trick-or-treaters should only go to houses that have their lights on.  This shows that they are welcoming to trick-or-treaters. 

•  In moving from house to house, everyone should walk on the sidewalk if there is one. 

•  Cross streets at corners, never from between parked cars.  Many people are still going about their normal evening activities, including driving from place to place.  Carry a flashlight, wear light clothing and/or a light-colored candy bag to ensure that drivers see you.

•  Even older children enjoy trick or treating.  Encourage them to travel with an adult.  If they are old enough to be out on their own, insist that they travel in groups of at least three.  Establish a curfew or a time when you expect them to be home.

•  No one should enter an unknown house or eat candy that has not been inspected by an adult. 

Halloween can be a great experience for children and adults, so doing whatever you can to avoid incidents can keep it that way. 

Halloween is a perfect occasion to remind your children of their thank yous  — and to take some really y cute pictures.

While you want your child’s costume to be perfect, following these costume tips will help make the night fun and safe. 

•  Don’t make your child invisible.   Dark colored or black costumes cannot be seen at night. 

•  If possible, choose face painting over masks.  Masks usually obstruct the child’s vision and may obstruct his breathing as well.  Non-toxic face paint is preferred. 

•  When purchasing a pre-made costume or buying fabric to make one yourself, choose one that is made with flame-retardant fabric.  Lots of sidewalks and doorways are lined with candle-filled jack-o-lanterns, and you don’t want a misplaced candle to catch your child’s costume on fire. 

•  Check to make sure that your child can walk comfortably in his costume.  Make sure it doesn’t drag on the  ground, and have him wear his normal sneakers when trick-or-treating, 

•  Weather at the end of October can be very unpredictable.  Build long sleeve clothing or sweats into your child’s costume so that he won’t get cold on his outing. 

•  Any accessories should be made of soft materials (foam swords, etc.) and, OF COURSE, no real weapon should ever be part of a costume.

With careful planning, you and your child can havae a fun and exciting Halloween night.