Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids and adults alike. Between costume parties, candy, and trick-or-treating, there’s definitely a lot to enjoy this holiday weekend. However, the last thing any parent or resident partier wants is to have an accident or injury spoil the fun.

About four times as many children aged 5-14 are injured while walking around on Halloween evening as compared with any other evening in the year, and falls appear to be the leading cause of injury that night. So, how do you keep yourself and your little goblins safe on the holiday evening? Check out these Halloween safety tips from the experts at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and the American Academy of Pediatrics—

Dressing up:

Make sure that the shoes fit well, and the costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement, or contact with flame.

Plan for costumes to be bright and reflective, so that cars and other vehicles can easily spot a masked man, woman, or child. You can even add reflective tape to trick-or-treat bags and costumes for greater visibility.

Keep in mind that masks can limit or block eyesight. Consider decorative hats or non-toxic makeup instead.

When shopping around for costumes, make sure to find one that is flame resistant (check the label).

If a sword, stick, or cane is part of your child’s Halloween ensemble, make sure it’s not too sharp or long. A child may accidentally get hurt by these accessories if he/she falls.

Pass out flashlights with fresh batteries for all trick-or-treaters.

Teach your child how to call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency.

Home safe home:

To keep your home a safe space for trick-or-treaters, make sure that your porch and front yard is clear of all toys, garden hoses, or other tools that a child could trip over.

Check outdoor lights and replace old bulbs.

Sweep wet leaves from sidewalks and steps to avoid slips

Keep pets restrained inside so they don’t inadvertently bite or jump on partiers

On the candy trail:

Younger children should always be accompanied by a responsible adult

If your older children are going trick-or-treating alone, plan and review their route. Agree on a specific time they should come home, and always pack a cell phone for quick communication

Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a car or a home for a treat
Travel in packs!

Remain on streets that are well-lit and always use the sidewalk

Don’t cut across yards or use alleys. Crossing between parked cars and driveways is also a bad idea because you never know when a car will move.

Don’t assume the right of way. Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn’t mean others will.

“Children need to be supervised by a parent or guardian on Halloween to avoid any injury,” says Joshua Rosenblatt, MD, chairman of pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. “Pedestrian fatalities involving children most frequently occur between 4 and 8 p.m. which is prime trick-or-treating time. Special precautions should be taken to ensure safety.”

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Have a happy and safe Halloween!