October is the month for ghosts and goblins, and chances are, you’ve already bought that costume for your little trick or treater.  What a fun time for everyone  involved –  parents, kids, and those handing out treats!   A little “thank you” from a spooky monster is a treat for the ones answering the door.  The only thing the children are interested in is filling their bags or plastic pumpkins with goodies; however, safety experts recommend that before October 31st, parents start talking to their children about Halloween safety.   Here’s some tips for parents to  remember when they are driving their kids to Trick or Treat:

• Drive slowly
• Be careful entering and exiting your driveway
• Do not place children in the back of a pickup truck
• Watch for children darting from behind parked cars

Caution your Trick or Treaters to:

• Never accept rides or treats from strangers in cars or trucks
• Be careful around animals, even their own.  Costumes may scare some pets
• Go only to houses with porch lights on
• Walk, don’t run!
• Look both ways when crossing streets
• Wait to eat candy after they get home and you have inspected it

Parents should also:

• Accompany children under age 12
• Never let them go alone (if they are older, the buddy system works best!)
• See that their costumes are flame retardant and do not drag on the ground, and that their masks don’t restrict  their vision
• Consider using face paint instead of masks
• Use reflective tape or reflective stickers to make them easily visible
• Choose light-colored costumes
• Have them carry a flashlight or glow stick
• Know the routes older children plan to take
• Put pets in a quiet room, away from the excitement
• Consider using battery-operated LED lights rather than candles
• Inspect all candy and treats and discard any that appear to be slightly unwrapped or tampered with
• Discard any candy that might present a choking hazard for little ones

If older children are attending a Halloween party, be certain that there will be  adult supervision.  By planning ahead, you will be doing your part to ensure that it is a safe and fun night for everyone!