When the word "Halloween" comes to mind, the first words are "candy" or "dressing up". However, before collecting candy for the night, there's several cautions that needs to be known. Observing "Halloween Safety Month" will keep you and loved ones safe while having fun trick or treating.

1. Make sure that costumes are health and visual approved. Cut the eye holes big enough so that vision is fully clear and is not blocked. Makeup should be non-toxic or hypo-allergic. Be sure that the costume is not dragging or is past/longer than the ankles; tripping onto concrete or the road can turn the night around.
2. Use the buddy system at all times. Kids should never go out trick or treating without an adult. Have an adult walk the kid to the door or wait in the driveway. Travel around other groups and walk to doors at the same time as other people. Insist teenagers to go with friends if they refuse to go out with family.
3. Have rules for candy. Don't let kids eat their candy until they get home and you have inspected their gatherings. Ask them what they got and observe what kinds and brands of candy and items they have received.
4. Stay on sidewalks as much as possible. Cross the street with caution and when there's no cars present. Avoid jaywalking and find the nearest cross-path; this is the legal way to cross a major street and to avoid a vehicle accident.
5. Be home at a certain time. Use the house as the meeting grounds and not the park or shopping center. Have the adults set the guidelines and curfews.


Reflective clothing is a high recommendation. If this is not possible, try to attempt to wear a reflective belt or tag. Flashlights can be waved around but it's not reliable as much. Glow sticks are the new trend for Halloween, so don't hesitate to stick one in your child's candy bucket or costume. Always have a responsible adult pass out candy for the night. A suggestion of passing out candy is to sit outside of the house, preferably on the driveway so that they can be clearly seen. This may relieve parents because the kids don't have to go up to the stranger's door.