With pumpkin spice season in full swing now, that can only mean one thing: Halloween is right around the corner. And with the business of going door-to-door for sweet and savory treats, many moms and dads are already thinking about how they can keep their children safe during their neighborhood’s busiest day of the year.

Of course, your kids are going to want to pick out the costumes that best resemble their favorite character or if they are older, one that will let their creativity shine. But there are a few ways that parents can help make sure that their kids’ costumes are both creative and keep safe this year.

First and foremost, decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors, especially if you plan on trick or treating late at night. Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child's vision or make it hard for them to breathe. Also, have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers. While there’s no doubt that young kids will be accompanied by their parents, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

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Here’s another thing that a lot of parents and neighbors usually don’t consider: 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. And most importantly, restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater. Even a barking dog inside a house might deter a group of trick-or-treaters from wanting to ring the doorbell.

Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind your little Trick-or-Treaters to always stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.

When it comes to shuffling your children’s Halloween candy at home (which is usually the highlight of the night), make sure that none of the candy was tampered with beforehand. Moms and dads should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items. Also, try to ration treats for the days and weeks following Halloween. As much fun as Halloween is, no one wants an unscheduled follow up with their dentist before Thanksgiving!

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