Nestled between the start of a new school year and the arrival of the holiday season, Halloween is an opportunity for children and adults alike to have some fun as they dress up in costumes and indulge in sweet treats. Even though Halloween is designed to be an entertaining day, it is not without risks. The Child Safety Network noted that on average, two times as many child pedestrians die on Halloween compared to other days. Costume safety and food allergies are additional hazards to contend with on Halloween. Parents can work together to help reduce the safety risks associated with Halloween.

Lack of visibility and dim lighting at night increase the risk of pedestrians being struck by cars on Halloween. Improving visibility can go a long way toward cutting down on accidents and related deaths. Homeowners can keep the lights turned on and perhaps illuminate neighborhoods even more by temporarily installing strands of Christmas or bistro style lights.

Children may carry battery-powered flashlights, lanterns or glow sticks to make them more visible. Reflective tape placed on candy bags or costumes also can help.

Parents may set up safe trick-or-treat zones. The popularity of Trunk or Treat events that emerged several years ago took some of the risk out of Halloween by containing trick-or-treating to a parking lot at a school or church. Neighbors can establish something similar close to home by petitioning the town for permits to close a specific road or roads to vehicular traffic for a block party of sorts. Residents in the area can trick-or-treat and celebrate in the street without risk of injury from cars. Organizers may consider asking participating neighbors to chip in for refreshments and entertainment, if desired.

If children have food allergies, their parents should check the ingredient labels on the candy their children bring home. Allergens may include peanuts and tree nuts, eggs, dairy, gluten and soy. Inspecting candy nutrition information can help weed out candy that may cause a reaction for those with food allergies or other concerns.

Adults and parents can take additional steps to prepare their homes for Halloween. They should keep the porch and front yard clear of tripping hazards, such as garden hoses, decorations and toys. Leaves and branches should be swept away to prevent tripping or slipping, and pets should be restrained so they do not jump on trick-or-treaters. Adults are advised to offer a variety of treats for kids of all ages so trick-or-treaters get age-appropriate items.

Halloween fun and safety can go hand-in-hand this October.