Halloween Safety 101

Going trick-or-treating is something that kids look forward to every year. But for parents, it's a time of mixed emotions. We love to see our kids all dressed up in cute or scary costumes and having fun, but we also worry about their safety.

With all the activities going on during the holiday, Halloween certainly comes with an increased risk of accidents and injuries. Here are some tips to help your kids stay safe while still enjoying themselves.

* Make sure your child's costume is designed with safety in mind. It should be flame resistant and short enough to prevent tripping, and shoes should be sturdy and comfortable. Masks should have eye holes large enough to allow the child to see well, and should be properly ventilated. If possible, use make-up instead of a mask.

* Costumes and bags should be light in color or trimmed with reflective tape so that drivers of oncoming cars can see your child.

* Accessories should be soft and flexible. There should be no sharp edges on them.

* Provide a working flashlight for each child. Put fresh batteries in each one before sending them off.

* Carry a cell phone if accompanying your child. If not, give him one to carry with him and make sure he knows how to use it to call home or dial 911.

* Young children should be accompanied by an adult or a child who is old enough and responsible enough to watch over them. All children should be reminded to walk, not run, from house to house, and to look both ways before crossing the street. They should walk on the sidewalk if possible, otherwise they should walk on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic.

* Children should only go to homes of people that they know. They should never go inside unless accompanied by an adult.

* Advise your children not to pet unfamiliar animals.

* Inspect all candy before your child eats it. Throw out anything that is not individually wrapped or appears to have been tampered with.

* Small children should not eat candy that presents a choking hazard. This includes most hard candy, as well as some bite-sized chewable candies.

* If possible, have dinner before sending the kids out for trick-or-treating. This will make it less likely that they will eat candy before you've had a chance to inspect it.

Halloween is meant to be fun for kids, but it also comes with some unique risks. By keeping safety in mind at all times, you can reduce your child's chance of accident or injury and ensure that the holiday is a source of good times and fond memories.

Here's a video you can watch with your kids: