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Halloween night can be a great time of family fun. Follow these tips to make sure it is a safe night as well.
Plan a route. Find out which neighbors and friends will be home on Halloween night. Stopping by friends' houses is a safe as well enjoyable bet.
Follow, slowly, in a car. Especially if your kids are younger, accompany them in a car, or, if you aren't going too far from home, walk with them. Keep them always in sight, and keep an eye out for other trick or treaters as you drive. Drive slowly and very, very carefully.
Go home early. Don't stay out too late trick or treating; go early and come home at dusk.
Carry a cell phone. If you have teens trick or treating alone, make sure they also carry their cells – on, with the volume on high. Have them inform you of their route before they leave and to keep you updated regularly.
Talk with your kids. Go over basic safety rules: don't interact with strangers, look both ways before crossing the street, vandalism and animal cruelty is not okay, etc.
Choose the right outfit. Make sure your child can see adequately with their costume on. Give them a flashlight to increase visibility – their own and that of car drivers.
Check local news. Be aware of what is going on in your neighborhood – and it doesn't hurt either to enter your zip code on your state's website and see if there are any registered sex offenders in your area.
Set a curfew. If your older kids are attending a school or church Halloween party, make sure you have the phone number of the place. Leave your child with a cell phone, and make sure they are home at a reasonable time.
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