REGION — It is that time of the year where things start to get spooky. Halloween is upon us with Tuesday, Oct. 31, marking the day of this year’s All Hallows’ Eve. Parents and children alike are making plans and looking forward to the delights and terrors the night will present, but before stepping up to your neighbor’s doorstep and ringing the bell, here are some helpful hints to have a safe and fun Halloween.

• Dress warm and stay visible

For many of us, we already have the perfect costume in mind, but make sure to be mindful of the weather for that evening. Current weather predictions are putting Halloween night at roughly 30 F, but anything can change until then. Keep up on the weather patterns and if you plan to be out and about that evening, dress accordingly.

Furthermore, when traveling at night, it is no secret that visibility is greatly reduced, increasing the chance for accidents. Janie Haseman of USA Today reported last year that “from 2011 to 2020, more child pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes that happened on Halloween than on any other date.”

The article reported that child pedestrians between the ages of four to eight years old are ten times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident than any other age group, with the highest rate of occurrence happening between the hours of 6 and 9 p.m.

It is strongly recommended to wear costumes that are bright and colorful and to steer away from darker outfits. It is also recommended to carry reflective tape, flashlights, or glow sticks for added visibility. Along with that, make sure to wear comfortable shoes to avoid tripping and falling.

• Be aware of where you are trick-or-treating

For many people living in rural areas, getting trick-or-treaters is extremely rare, with most families opting to travel to specified locations to trick-or-treat safely. For example, a number of towns, schools and organizations will be hosting Halloween-themed events on or before Halloween Night.

• Travel in groups and be careful what you eat

No matter how familiar an area may be to you, always travel with a friend or with a group for safety. If you have older kids that are trick-or-treating on their own, make sure they travel with friends and use the buddy system to stay together.

Furthermore, avoid any houses that are not lit up as they may not be participating in this year’s festivities, and do not let your children enter any homes that you feel may be unsafe. Some homeowners will also decorate their properties with elaborate inflatable decorations. These decorations will come with cords and wires that are not always the easiest to see, especially in the dark. Use designated pathways and proceed with caution.

When it comes to treats, always inspect them before you or your child eat them. While many believe the ‘razor blade in a candied apple’ to be a myth that our parents would tell us, there have been cases of food tampering in other parts of the country, with a man in Eugene, Oregon, getting arrested last year after multiple razor blades were found hidden inside children’s Halloween candy.

Follows these tips and tricks for a safe and ghoulish Halloween.

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