Halloween is right around the corner and it will be time to get your little ghosts and goblins ready for trick-or-treating. Halloween is a cherished tradition but the excitement of the night can cause children to forget to be careful. There is no real "trick" to making Halloween a real “treat” for the entire family. The major dangers are not from witches or spirits but rather from falls and pedestrian/car crashes. Both children and adults need to think about safety on this annual day of make-believe.

Halloween Safety:

• 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.


• Tell your youngsters not to eat any treat until they return home.


• Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.


• Pin a slip of paper with the child's name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group

We hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween!