Trick-or-treat!

Soon little ghosts and goblins around the area will be traveling through their neighborhoods making that seasonal request.

With a little common sense and a few simple safety tips, Halloween can be a treat for everyone.

Before the big day, children and parents will be selecting the perfect Halloween costume. While the theme of the costume depends on individual taste, safety rules are universal.

First, all parts of the costumes, including beards, wigs and masks, should be flame retardant. The material should resist flame and extinguish quickly. However this does not mean that costumes will not burn, so exposure to direct flame should be avoided.

Next, costumes should fit properly. Because tripping and falling are the leading cause of accidental injuries on Halloween, parents should make sure costumes are not too long or dragging the ground. Also, costumes should be loose so children can move freely and wear warm clothing underneath. Shoes should be well-fitting, and high heels should be avoided as well.

Masks should not block vision, and makeup should be worn instead of a mask if possible. Wigs and beards should not cover ears, noses or mouths. If a hat is part of the costume, it should be pinned in the child's hair to prevent the possibility of it falling off or blocking the child's vision. Scarves and gloves should be secured to the costumes as well.

Accessories and props such as daggers or swords should be flexible, not rigid. Real knives or weapons should never be used.

All costumes should have reflective tape or materials on the front and back so children can be seen easily by motorists. Whenever possible, costumes should be made from light colored materials.

A flashlight should be part of every Halloween costume.

Once the big night arrives, special rules apply as well.

Parents should accompany young children while trick-or-treating. Older children should travel in groups and map out a safe route with parents. Children should trick-or-treat only in their neighborhood and at houses they know. Children who do not trick-or-treat with their parents should keep change handy for an emergency telephone call.

Children should never enter an unfamiliar home or get in a car with a stranger.

Whenever possible, children should stay on the sidewalk and walk, not run. Also, they should cross street only at crosswalks and intersections. Caution should be used around traffic, and everyone should look both ways before crossing the street.

After trick-or-treating has begun, make sure children use caution around burning candles and jack-o-lanterns. Caution should be used around lawn decorations and other spooky configurations to avoid injury from tripping or falling.

Caution also should be used around unfamiliar animals and pets. The costumes and excitement of the holiday can stress animals and make them act in unusual ways.

Once the festivities are over, parents should check all candy for safety. Unwrapped items or candy with opened wrappers should be discarded. Small children, especially those under age 5, should never be given hard candy or jawbreakers to avoid choking hazards. [[In-content Ad]]