Halloween has crept up on us again. Witches, goblins, and super-heroes are descending on neighborhoods across America, and a few simple precautions can prepare them for a safe and enjoyable trick-or-treat experience. These suggestions from the American Red Cross are worth remembering.

For kids

• Walk, slither, and sneak on sidewalks, not in the street.
• Look both ways before crossing the street to check for cars, trucks, and low-flying brooms.
• Cross the street only at corners.
• Don’t hide or cross the street between parked cars.
• Wear light-colored or reflective-type clothing so you are more visible. (And remember to put reflective tape on bikes, skateboards, and brooms, too!)
• Plan your route and share it with your family. If possible, have an adult go with you.
• Carry a flashlight to light your way.
• Keep away from open fires and candles. (Costumes can be extremely flamable.)
• Visit homes that have the porch light on.
• Accept your treats at the door and never go into a stranger’s house.
• Use face paint rather than masks or things that will cover your eyes.
• Be cautious of animals and strangers.
• Have a grown-up inspect your treats before eating. And don’t eat candy if the package is already opened.

For adults
Parents of trick-or-treating kids can get so caught up in the fun themselves that they might forget some simple safety ideas that could save everyone some trouble.

Below are just a few common sense tips that can help.

• Know the route your kids will be taking if you aren’t going with them. The best bet is to make sure that an adult is going with them. If you can’t take them, see if another parent or a teen aged sibling can go along.
• Know what other activities a child may be attending, such as parties, school or mall functions. Know who they’re going with, and how they will get there and back.
• Make sure you set a time that they should be home by. Make sure they know how important it is for them to be home on time.
• Explain to children the difference between tricks and vandalism. Throwing eggs at a house may seem like fun but they need to know the other side of the coin as well, clean up and damages can ruin Halloween. If they are caught vandalizing, make them clean up the mess they’ve made.
• Explain to your kids that animal cruelty is not acceptable. Kids may know this on their own but peer pressure can be a bad thing. Make sure that they know that harming animals is not only morally wrong but punishable by law and will not be tolerated.
• 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.
• If you’re going to be driving anywhere tonight, the National Safety Council urges you to be especially alert.
  • Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
  • Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.
  • Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
  • At twilight and later in the evening, watch especially carefully for children in dark clothing.

I love the magic of Halloween. I love the tiny voices at knee level saying “twick ah twee,” and the creative costumes, and the grandparents taking flash photographs of their darlings as they come down the porch steps with their loot. I especially love knowing that the children I care about will be able to indulge their sense of fantasy and their greed for candy without danger. If we all use common sense and follow suggestions like those listed above, everybody can have a frightfully good time!