Halloween is just around the corner, which means a night of costumes, sweet treats, and lots of fun for you and your family. With all the festivities, though, there are also some potential dangers, and parents will want to take caution to keep kids safe and happy.

Here are some tips to ensure that you have a super safe scare-fest this year!

When you’re trick-or-treating:

  • Join in the fun – Go along with your children as they gather up their treats; stay nearby as they visit houses, and if they are invited inside, make sure you go with them.
  • Brighten things up – Take a flashlight along with you so you can keep track of your little ghouls in the dark. You can even put reflective tape on your child’s costume.
  • Keep your costumes safe – Make sure that your child’s costume doesn’t have fabric that he or she could easily trip over. Hoods can also pose a risk of hiding the view of oncoming traffic.
  • Snack wisely – Feed your kids a big, healthy meal before you go out; that way, they’ll be less likely to overindulge on candy and sweets. When you get home, sort through your child’s candy and throw out anything that has been opened or could cause a choking hazard.

When you’re staying home:

  • De-clutter the lawn – Halloween decorations look great during the day, but kids can easily trip over them when it gets dark out.
  • Careful with flames – Put your jack-o-lantern in a place where it won’t be a danger; rambunctious youngsters might knock it over, and many costumes have flowing fabric that could easily catch a flame.
  • Put away pets – All the activity in the neighborhood may make Rover a little reckless; what’s more, some kids don’t do so well with animals. While you don’t need to keep your furry friend locked up, make sure he’s in a secure place.

Have a happy Halloween, and be safe!