MAKE SURE YOU KEEP YOUR LOVED ONES SAFE THIS HALLOWEEN.Halloween is a time to dress up and have fun with friends, but it’s also the number one day of the year for childhood injuries.

Many Halloween-related injuries can be prevented by following these safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Safety Council.

USE FLASHLIGHTS, STAY ON SIDEWALKS AND AVOID WALKING ACROSS YARDS. Make sure your children wear bright colors while trick or treating.

Since trick or treating takes place at dusk and runs well into the night, it’s crucial that your loved ones are visible at all times.

Not only should they be visible to others walking, but also visible to drivers.

Always have your children carry a flash light with them and always walk on sidewalks.

CROSS STREETS AT THE CORNER, USE CROSSWALKS AND DO NOT CROSS BETWEEN PARKED CARS.

Again. Drivers might not see your loved ones if they are wearing dark costumes. It’s better for your children to use side walks and cross walks at all times.

It’s better to be safe than sorry.

WEAR CLOTHING THAT IS BRIGHT, REFLECTIVE AND FLAME RESISTANT.

Having your children stay away from any kind of open flame is key.

Check the tag on the back of their costumes to make sure that the costume is indeed flame retardant.

USE FACE PAINT INSTEAD OF MASKS.

It’s much easier for your children to walk around without their sight being compromised with a mask.

Paint their faces instead.

AVOID WEARING LONG, BAGGY OR LOOSE COSTUMES OR OVERSIZED SHOES TO PREVENT TRIPPING.

Making sure that the costume that your child is wearing is the right fit is key.

You don’t want them falling or slipping anywhere while they are walking.

This might seem like a simple precaution, but tripping accidents happen more often than you’d think.

TRAVEL IN SMALL GROUPS WITH AN ADULT.

Traveling in a group is better than your children walking around alone.

If it’s possible, make sure you have a dedicated adult to walk with your children if possible.

If you can’t do it, have someone you trust.

GO ONLY TO WELL-LIT HOUSES AND DO NOT EVER ENTER THE HOUSE.

If you can’t see where you are walking when approaching a home, skip it and move on to the next home.

You want to be able to see where you are going and able to see if there are any hazards waiting.

Avoid dark homes.

CARRY A CELL PHONE AND KNOW HOW TO CALL 911.

Always have a cell phone with you. Or if your children are old enough to use one, give them one to have. Not only can it double as a flash light, it can also be useful in case of any emergency.

One thing you SHOULDN’T do is TEXT while Walking. Sure it doesn’t seem like a big deal, but you’d be shocked at how many injuries occur because of this.

ADULTS SHOULD INSPECT CANDY BEFORE LETTING KIDS EAT IT. DISCARD ANY UNWRAPPED CANDY OR OPEN CONTAINERS. DO NOT EAT ANY UNWRAPPED CANDY.

Always make sure you inspect your children’s candy before they start to eat it. If you see anything suspicious or anything that looks open, discard it. Don’t take a chance.

USE FLEXIBLE COSTUME KNIVES AND SWORDS.

Never carry a real weapon with you on Halloween. It’s always safer to use a rubber or plastic sword or knife.

Play it safe. Don’t take any chances.

MOTORISTS SHOULD REMEMBER TO DRIVE SLOWLY AND WATCH FOR CHILDREN IN THE STREET.

All drivers should be aware that Halloween has children running around neighborhoods.

With that being said, take extra precaution when you are driving.

Don’t go over the speed limit and in fact, go a little slower than usual through neighborhoods.

AND DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE!

WHEN CARVING PUMPKINS, HAVE THE CHILDREN DRAW A FACE ON THE PUMPKIN AND HAVE AN ADULT DO THE CARVING.

Pumpkin carving is one of the best parts about Halloween. Make sure your children do all the art-work and make sure you have an adult do the actual carving.

Carving tools are extremely sharp. Only an adult should be handling them.

PLACE LIT PUMPKINS AWAY FROM CURTAINS AND DO NOT LEAVE LIT PUMPKINS UNATTENDED.

Once you have your pumpkin lit, make sure you don’t leave it unattended and make sure you don’t leave it near anything that can possibly catch flame.

Common sense is key here. If you don’t feel comfortable with the placement of your pumpkin. Move it.