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Trick or Treat safety tips

So your kids get all the treats and none of the tricks.
Photo courtesy of POND5

Kids love trick-or-treating, and parents like to get in on the fun too. But it's important to keep these safety tips in mind.

1. Stay close to home. Halloween is not the time to explore that hot, new neighborhood. Stick to the streets (and neighbors) you know well. If trick-or-treating lasts longer than expected, it will be easier for you to make your way home.

2. Wear comfortable shoes. Trick-or-treating is essentially a sport. What else an you call hiking for candy? To keep the whining at bay, make sure you and your kids are wearing sneakers or comfortable flats.

3. Stay well-lit. A lot of Halloween costumes are dark, but it's important your kids be seen by drivers. Add some reflective tape to the outfit, and carry a flashlight to light up pathways where streetlights are lacking.

4. Opt for face paint instead of masks. Masks can impair your child's peripheral vision. Non-toxic face paint or makeup is a great way to add that final touch to the costume.

5. Say no to homemade treats. Tell your kids if they're offered baked goods while trick-or-treating to politely decline them. It's safest to stick to classic fun-size candy bars where ingredients are well-known. Be sure to check your kids' bags when they come home to insure there has been no tampering with the candy.

For more Halloween-related stories, click here.

Happy Halloween!

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