Ultimate Guide to Halloween Safety

On Halloween night, four times more children are hit by cars than on any other night of the year [source: CDC].

Of course, there are other, less dire costume-related problems to address. If you've ever tripped, slipped or tipped over wearing a brand new pair of shoes, you've encountered one of those problems. Imagine millions of somewhat-less-steady kids running around in whole outfits they've never worn before -- outfits that may not even fit right. And they're doing it in the dark.

Getting into costume can mean wearing unfamiliar clothing, shoes, makeup and possibly even a different eye color. Some people have allergic reactions to face paint; others wear dark colors that make them blend in with the dark scenery; and cheap, over-the-counter contact lenses aren't the best things to put in your eyes. But you don't have to give up playing dress-up. For a safer Halloween costume, try following some simple rules.

Safe costumes are:

Some other things to consider:

Once you have the costumes under control, it's time to address the candy part of the night. Stomachaches are just the beginning.

While many trick-or-treaters go door-to-door until their goody bags are full, Halloween really shouldn't be a free-for-all in terms of taking candy. Or in terms of eating it. When you go out trick-or-treating with your kids, or send them off into the night with their friends, make sure they stick to houses they know (no complete strangers!) and avoid eating the candy while they walk around. First, an adult needs to inspect the loot and discard anything that is:

Some other things to consider:

Safe candy and costumes will get you a long way toward a smooth Halloween evening, but they won't get you all the way there. Up next, a few more tips to help you avoid the big Halloween pitfalls.

Halloween safety is mostly common sense, but the excitement of the evening, and all those giddy little wizards and pop stars raring to go, can interfere with the clearest of minds. Following these additional tips can help reign in the craziness of the spookiest night of the year:

Be prepared: The old Boy Scout motto still applies. Make sure you and/or your trick-or-treaters don't leave without a flashlight to see and be seen in the dark, as well as identification and a cell phone in case someone gets separated from the group.

Know the road: Stick to familiar neighborhoods (preferably your own), and stay on the sidewalk whenever possible. Review all street-crossing rules with little ones, including the following: Use only crosswalks, look before you cross and never dart out from in between parked cars.

Set a plan: If your older kids will be going out without you, set preplanned routes so you know where they'll be, and set curfews so they don't stay out too late -- and so you know when to go look for them if they're not home.

Limit exposure: In trick-or-treating as in life, there's strength in numbers, so always travel in groups. Kids should be reminded to never, ever enter a stranger's home even if that stranger has "lots more candy inside."

Set the stage: If you'll be giving out candy at your house, you can do your part to make the night safer for trick-or-treaters. Be sure to clear debris and obstacles from your yard and walkway; make your walkway well-lit; keep candlelit jack-o-lanterns away from high-traffic areas; and keep any pets well-contained.

With a little planning and care, you and your kids can fully enjoy those costumes and buckets of candy without any regrets. Have a safe, happy holiday!

For lots more information about Halloween and related topics, look over the links on the next page.