Costumes, pumpkins and lots of candy! It’s definitely that time of the year and while our children are eager to let their imagination run wild, here are a couple of tips to keep Halloween fun and safe.

• • Make it a group activity! Check in with friends and family and plan to go Trick or Treating as a group, in a familiar neighborhood.

• • Fill those bellies! Have a big meal before going Trick-or-Treating to avoid filling up on Halloween treats. Children (and adults) can get sick from eating too much candy. Instead, ration out your treats for the next couple of days or weeks and keep the celebration going.

• • Shine bright! Stay visible, especially to cars, by bringing flashlights. Get creative and use reflective tape on costume or accessories.

• • Keep an eye out! Avoid costumes or masks that may obstruct the child’s vision. If masks are worn, make sure they are well ventilated.

• • Safety Check! Stay on the sidewalk, if no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic. Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks. Never cross between parked cars or out of driveways.

• • Check before you eat! Avoid candy that looks opened or not in its original wrapper. If your child has a food allergy, wait until you get home to check all candy before consuming.

For more information on how to stay safe this Halloween, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics.