Halloween is a fun time of the year for both children and parents, yet it can also be one of the most dangerous times of the year for children, with children being four times more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other night of the year. Taking the necessary precautions such as buying non-flammable costumes, encouraging children to walk and stop at all street corners while trick-or-treating, and checking all treats to ensure that they have not been tampered with will ensure that everyone has a safe and happy Halloween.

"We want Halloween to be an enjoyable experience for parents and children, and safety is an important part of the day that should not be ignored," said Secretary Rod Paige. "Using safety tips and common sense can prevent serious injuries or tragedies from occurring. We encourage every parent to familiarize themselves with these safety tips with their children before they go out on Halloween."

The Department of Education lists the following safety tips that parents and children should follow:

Children

• Never run out into a street or walk between parked cars.
• Always carry a flashlight.
• Never enter homes of a stranger.
• Approach only houses that are lit.
• Wait until you get home to eat your treats. Make sure your parents inspect them thoroughly.

Parents

• Decorate costumes, bags and sacks with reflective tape, markers and stickers.
• Make sure your child has a cellular phone in case they need to call home.
• Secure emergency information (name, address, phone number) within the costume or on a bracelet.
• A mask can decrease your child's visibility. As an alternative, consider using non-toxic or hypoallergenic makeup.
• Make sure your child wears a watch that can be read in the dark and give them a specific time to come home.

Homeowners

• Make sure anything flammable in the yard won't be blown into a flaming candle.
• Keep all candles away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.
• Substitute real flame jack o' lanterns with battery powered ones.
• Remove all ladders, hoses, dog leashes or anything that can cause children to fall.
• Make sure you put your pets in a safe place to protect them from cars and trick-or-treaters.

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