Have fun and stay safe this Halloween

If you’re taking your little ghosts and goblins trick-or-treating this Halloween, it’s important to remember to be safe while also having as much sugar-infused fun as possible!

Many organizations compile lists of safety tips, and below you can find some of our favorites.

Safe Kids Worldwide recommends the following:

• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
• Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
• When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.

Here are a few tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics:

• To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.
• Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
• Wet leaves or snow should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

And for those of you without little ghosts and goblins this year, popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during that time.