Children and parents look forward to the excitement and fun of Halloween. Taking safety precautions will ensure that your children will enjoy the once-a-year trick-or-treat adventure.

Costume Caution

Be sure that your child's costume fits. Check to see that he or she can easily walk up and down a set of steps. Hemming the bottom of a long dress or cape will reduce the chance of fraying at the bottom.

If your child's costume is a dark color, adhere either reflective tape or stickers to it so drivers will be aware of his or her presence.

Masks can reduce your child's visual clarity. Face paint can provide the same effect as a mask without the danger.

Select props carefully. Oversized shoes can be a hazard when walking up steps or on uneven pavement. Swords, guns, and bows and arrows should be made of a flexible rubber in case your child falls.

Door-to-Door Trick-or-Treating:

Young children need adult supervision; they may be spooked by older children or by other kids' costumes while walking in the neighborhood.

Remind your children to walk, not run. With the onset of darkness the chances of tripping are great.

Houses with no lights should be avoided.

Obey street-crossing rules.

Stay on walking paths -- children may be tempted to cut across lawns, which can have hidden hazards such as sprinkler heads, uneven grass or tree roots.

To protect children coming to your house, remove any breakable items from your front entry such as flowerpots or glowing jack-o'-lanterns. Also check for low-hanging tree branches around your property.

Use reflective tape or stickers on the trick-or-treat bag so they are easy to spot by drivers.

Use flashlights or light sticks when walking after dark.

Pumpkin Safety

Young children can join in jack-o'-lantern carving by drawing the face or scooping the seeds out of the hull with a spoon.

Beware of when you are cleaning up the pumpkin that infants can choke on pumpkin seeds.

Keep matches away from children. The candles inside pumpkins may spark your small child's curiosity.

Place the pumpkin with a lit candle away from windows with curtains and other objects that could catch fire.

Consuming the Goodies

Do not allow children to eat any candy until you have inspected it. Throw away any unwrapped gum or candy.

Homemade treats should only be accepted from neighbors you know well.

Check fruit carefully for puncture marks and discard if it appears to have been tampered with.

Discard candy that may cause choking in young children.

The tradition of going door to door "begging" for candy can be most enjoyed when safety precautions are considered. But if you're still uncomfortable trick-or-treating in your neighborhood, there are many alternatives. Malls have designated hours when children can go trick-or-treating from store to store. Neighborhood groups may have planned festivities for the children with special events. Or use our Halloween Party Planner and host a party for your child and his or her friends.

Safe haunting!

Carving a Niche