Be a good neighbor on Halloween

Many people enjoy handing out candy to their little visitors on Halloween.

To make sure your visiting trick-or-treaters stay safe in your yard:

* Clear away lawn equipment and any clutter from the yard, walkways, and steps so kids don’t trip over them.

* If you have lighted jack-o’-lanterns, position them far enough away from where kids will stand so their costumes won’t catch on fire. Better yet, use glow sticks instead of candles.

* Make sure paper or fabric decorations can’t blow into the flame of a jack-o’-lantern.

* Keep all of your outside lights on during the evening.

* If you are driving during trick-or-treat time, watch for kids.

Before sending your children on their rounds, make sure they eat so they won’t be tempted to dig into their goodie bags before you can examine them.

Check to make sure no parts of their costumes drag on the ground. Kids could step on them, trip, and fall. If they are wearing masks, be sure they have a good field of vision. Face paint is better.

Tell  them to walk, not run, stay on sidewalks, and cross streets only at intersections, not between parked cars.

Advise kids to approach only those houses with outside lights burning. Never go inside a house. They should wait at the door for their treat.

Young children should be accompanied by an adult. Older kids should travel with a group of friends.