For Parents

• Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for children under age 12.
• Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names of older children’s companions.
• Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.
• Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a stranger’s home.
• Establish a return time.
• Make sure someone in the group has a cell phone.
• Pin a slip of paper with the child’s name, address, and phone number inside a pocket in case your youngster gets separated from the group.
• Make sure your child eats dinner before setting out and tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home.

For Kids

• Carry a flashlight.
• Only approach houses that are lit.
• Wear a watch you can read in the dark.
• Stay on sidewalks, don’t run or cut across yards and driveways, cross intersections at established crosswalks and obey traffic signals.
• Stay away from and don’t pet animals you don’t know.
• Make sure costumes don’t drag on the ground and wear appropriate shoes that fit (even if they don’t go with your costume).
• Avoid wearing masks while walking from house to house. Make sure holes are big enough in the mask to see and breathe well. Consider wearing Halloween make-up instead.
• Dress warmly. Make costumes with fire retardant clothing and reflective materials or tape in your costume.
• Knives, swords, and other accessories should be made from cardboard or other flexible materials.

For Home Owners

• Check outdoor lighting and replace burned-out bulbs.
• Remove anything from the porch or yard that children could trip over such as ladders, garden hoses, toys, flower pots, and lawn decorations.
• Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.
• If you use lit candles inside pumpkins, place the pumpkin well away from where children will be walking or standing.
• Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.
• If you must leave in a vehicle or are just returning home, watch for children darting out from between cars. Pay close attention for children dressed in dark clothing or walking on roadways and curbside.