Be Careful Out There: Halloween Safety Tips

If you're hitting the streets with your child tonight, wanted to make sure that you stay as safe as possible. Here are a few tips to make your family fun night of tricks and treats enjoyable:

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective.  Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.

• Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.

• Children should know their phone number and carry a cell phone for emergencies.  You don’t have to get a fully functional phone.  Cheap ones are available with a card with allotted hours of time.   Keep this sort of thing for emergencies, or these types of things, without giving your child a fully functional phone.  They can be set to only call you, specific numbers or 911.

• Small children should have their names and addresses attached to their costumes, should the child become lost.

• Watch for signs of tampering, such as small pinholes in wrappers and torn or loose packages.

• Inspect all candy for safety before children eat it.

For more safety tips, check out the media section of the article.

And while you're out, don't forget to take photos of your child in costume and enter them in our !