As the days become colder and the leaves get crunchier, students prepare for football season, midterms, and most excitingly, Halloween. Through the excitement of trick-or-treating and going out, kids need to remember safety as it is the utmost important aspect of Halloween. Here are some tips to stay safe while having a great time on this spooky holiday.

Trick-or-treating is one of the most beloved activities that involves going house to house in hopes of large handfuls of candy and small toys. Trick-or-treating has been a fun tradition since the 1920s. While it is typically associated with younger kids, it is still fun for families and older kids. However, some people use Halloween as an excuse to commit petty and sometimes even severe crimes, with the crime rate going up 50 percent on Halloween. The most common of these are property destruction and theft. Some ways to stay safe while trick or treating include sticking with a group and planning a safe route. Google Maps is a good resource for kids to plan which houses they will hit beforehand. Familiar areas are best for trick-or-treating, allowing anyone to navigate confidently and effectively.

Being confident this holiday is the goal and the most effective (and safe) way to do that is by choosing a cute costume while still being practical and comfortable. To do this, make sure to check off a list of requirements beforehand. Some may be: Is this weather appropriate or is this something one can walk/dance around in all night?

Trick-or-treaters should avoid visibility-preventing masks, toxic paints on the skin and dangerous props. Integrating light into costumes, even as much as a glow stick or light-up necklace can keep kids safe and visible to others. Costumes are the highlight of Halloween, allowing personalities and creativity to shine through outfits.

Plans for Halloween will dictate how the rest of the night goes, so it is important to be mindful when deciding what to do on this holiday. It is incredibly important to remain cautious while driving or walking in neighborhoods because of the possibility of reckless driving from others. A good way to be cautious about the safety of others is to go to functions/gatherings before nightfall to provide clearer roads for the kids to walk on. Another way is to stay home! Tuck in with a good scary movie like “The Nightmare Before Christmas” or “Beetlejuice” and indulge in Halloween candy.