The Huntsville Police Department encourages safety and supervision during the annual Trick-or-Treat season. It is especially important for parents to adhere to a few safety rules for their children when they are trick-or-treating.

• Know your treaters' route

• Remind kids not to enter strangers' homes or cars.

• Take a flashlight

• Be sure costumes, shoes, and treat bags are safe.

• Young children should be accompanied by their parents or another responsible adult.

• Set rules about not eating treats until kids get home. Be sure to inspect all treats before allowing kids to eat them.

• Candy that has been opened should be thrown away. Any homemade treats or fruit should be inspected closely.

• Remember drivers have a hard time seeing people, especially at dusk.

• Never cross the street from between parked cars.

• Watch open flames from jack-o-lanterns as they can catch costumes and long wigs on fire.

• Make sure that fake knives, swords, and guns are made from cardboard or other flexible materials to avoid accidental injury or worse, have them mistaken for the real thing!

• Limit trick-or-treating from 4 to 7 p.m.
   

It is also important to ensure that your home is safe and accessible to trick-or-treaters. As adults there are some very simple things we can do to make the evening safe everyone.

• Turn on your porch light.

• Move lit jack-o-lanterns off the porch where kids get bunched up if they are trick-or-treating in groups.

• Remove objects from your yard that might present a hazard.

• Drive slowly all evening-you never know what creature may suddenly cross your path.

• Report any suspicious or criminal activity to the police.
   

For adults who are celebrating, there are some things to consider when creating that "perfect" Halloween Costume.

• Make sure that any accessories, such as fake guns, knifes, and other potentially dangerous items are not mistaken for the real thing.

• Fire safety and visibility are also important for adult costumes. Apply the same standards to adult costumes as you do to your children's.

• Remember adults that are dressed up can be pretty scary to young children.