It’s the spookiest time of the year. The days are getting shorter, the nights get longer, and the weather is (finally) cooling down after months of merciless heat waves.

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Before you can enjoy the splendor (and stress) of the holiday season, there is a spooky prerequisite to enjoy: Halloween.

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October 31st is one of the most popular and fun holidays for all ages. Whether you’re dusting off your dinosaur onesie or going to the barber to get that Ted Lasso stache, Halloween is the perfect time to get creative with your costume and party-hosting abilities.

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For all its fun and spookiness, we can’t forget about the importance of safety, especially for our children. Here are some tips on how to have a fun, spooky, and — most importantly — safe Halloween.

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1. Be Weary of the Night

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Though Halloween is supposed to be the funnest of the fun, there are hard truths and facts we need to remember.

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Children are twice as likely to be struck and killed by a vehicle on Halloween than any other day of the year, according to Safe Kids Worldwide.

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Several factors contribute to this, such as how masks can obstruct a child’s vision while walking at night and the large influx of people walking on the streets.

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Sidewalks will be more congested than usual, so never let your child out of your sight. It’s a sad thing to think about, but it’s essential for your child’s safety.

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Safe Kids Worldwide recommends carrying glowsticks or flashlights while walking and placing reflective tape on your child’s costumes or bags. Many children’s shoes have reflective panels built in, so check if your child’s footwear check the box.

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Though Halloween falls on a Monday (the worst of school nights), don’t be in such a rush to finish your annual trick or treating. Halloween festivities are not exactly a marathon, nor are they a sprint. Go with a brisk pace, but don’t go guns blazing.

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You’ll be able to keep a clearer eye on your child if they’re not running, especially when there will be hordes of people trick or treating too.

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2. Buy Properly Fitted Costumes

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This question mainly applies to the kids. Adults, it’s your business. For the little ones, however, you’ll want a costume that fits just right.

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Achieve both function and fashion with a costume that won’t cause your child to trip and fall over because of a long pant leg.

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Yes, that dinosaur onesie looks so adorable on your little one, but it won’t do them much good if they can’t make it up the stairs without stumbling. You can still wreak havoc on your candy while still wearing a practical and safe Halloween costume.  

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Granted, kids do grow fast so buying a new costume every year isn’t likely something they told you to expect while expecting.

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Still, the last thing you want is your or your child’s costume to be called “so last year,” so start shopping to have a fashionable and safe Halloween.

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3. Stop the Spread of Germs

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We’ve all heard the adage of never talking to strangers, nor accepting candy from them. This is more relevant than before, since many of us now have a heightened awareness of how germs spread.

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Fill your costume’s utility belt with hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and even a few spare masks. Wearing a medical mask gives you a chance to be even more creative with your costume, so you’ll be upgrading your outfit while promoting general cleanliness.

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If you’re the kind of person to just leave the box of candy by your front door for anyone to grab, leave a container of disinfectant wipes so trick or treaters can get their candy while maintaining a clean bill of health — apart from the candy of course.

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4. Check What Your Child is Eating

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Though Halloween is the universally-accepted holiday to eat sugary sweets to your heart’s content, it doesn’t hurt to monitor what exactly your or your child is filling their stomachs with.

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Not to be a party pooper, but child obesity remains a prominent issue for our youth. The American Obesity Foundation recommends emphasizing the aesthetic elements of Halloween: decorations and costumes.

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There is luckily no shortage of ways to make that happen.

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It’s also recommended to teach your child the importance of health and moderation by rationing their candy intake. While this might be somewhat unpopular given the holiday itself, it doesn’t hurt to teach them early on the benefits of a good diet.

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It also doesn’t hurt to make Halloween an active holiday.

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You’re out and about, walking through several neighborhoods, crossing various streets in search of that elusive giant chocolate bar. You’re burning calories and getting your steps in, so have fun with this exercise.

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Safety is key, especially with your little ones. Still, contrary to popular belief, safety and fun can go hand in hand — all the hallmarks of a truly fun and safe Halloween.

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5. Look Out for Food Allergens

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Beyond the dietary crater that Halloween provides, food allergens are a genuine point of concern for trick-or-treaters. Whether it’s your child or your next-door neighbor, ensure the food you’re getting and giving can be safely eaten.

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This means having a conversation with your community. The subject of food allergens isn’t exactly a hot topic for debate. so this should be a relatively quick fix. If anything, this line of communication can make your community feel a little more united and connected.

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Sometimes all it takes to have a safe Halloween is discussing the potential dangers of a Snickers Bar.

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Conclusion

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The spookiest day of the year is soon upon us. Though some of us like to live dangerously, we can still celebrate Halloween to the fullest and not have it cost a literal arm and a leg.

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Dress up as your favorite movie character, go for that super obscure costume that only one person will recognize — do whatever you want, so long as it’s safe, fun, and — of course — spooky.

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