While Halloween is supposed to be scary, parents shouldn’t be afraid to teach their children how to be safer.

With Halloween being one of the most dangerous days of the year for child pedestrians — it’s essential for parents to prepare their children properly to stay safe while trick or treating.

Here are some safety tips from Safety Sessions:

• Go trick or treating with a grown-up. If kids are mature enough to go trick-or- treating without supervision, make sure they stick to a predetermined route with good lighting and go with a buddy or group.
• Take advantage of one of your community’s pre-planned indoor events. – Visit only people you know and those who have porch lights on.
• Make sure your costume lets you see and hear perfectly. You need to watch and listen for cars.
• Wear brightly colored clothing, use glow sticks and carry a flashlight so drivers can see you.
• Have an adult check all treats before eating them. If in doubt, throw it out.
• Cross streets safely. Cross at a corner, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Try to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them. Look left, right and left again when crossing, and keep looking as you cross. Walk, don’t run, across the street.
• Walk on well-lit sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk in familiar areas with minimal street crossings.
• Be a safe pedestrian around cars. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
• Be especially alert. Remember that popular trick-or-treating hours occur during the typical rush-hour period, between 5:30-9:30 p.m.
• Drive more slowly. Slow down and anticipate heavier than usual pedestrian traffic.
• Lights on. Be sure to drive with your full headlights on so you can spot children from greater distances.
• Use candle alternatives as much as possible.
• Keep flammable decorations away from candles. Also, avoid using flammable materials in costumes.

For more safety tips and information on Safety Sessionsä courses available for your home, business or school checkout: www.safetysessions.net , Like Safety Sessions on Facebook or call directly at 425-478-6524.