Halloween is one of the most joyous and fun holiday occasions for youngsters. It is a great opportunity for them to dress up and show creativity in the costumes they wear as they go trick-or-treating. It is also a time that requires some steps to ensure that that the Halloween experience is a safe and happy one. It is with this in mind that we at Webb Weekly present the following safety tips that we hope you will find helpful.

• Wear shoes that fit.
• Use face paint, not a mask.
• Wear a costume short enough and easy to walk in.
• Be Safe. Be Seen. Wear bright colors. Use a flashlight. Use reflective strips.
• Walk in a group — the bigger the cluster the easier it is to be seen.
• Stop at the curb or edge of the road. Cross at corners.
• Walk on sidewalks. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the roadway facing traffic.
• Look LEFT-RIGHT-LEFT before crossing.
• Walk — don’t run — across the street.
• Under age 10 always cross with someone older, preferably an adult.
• Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
• Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
• Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
• When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
• As the person who is distributing the Halloween treats, you “make your house trick-or-treat friendly.” Be sure cars are parked in the driveway and not blocking sidewalks and that the walkway to your house is well lit and free of obstacles.
• When sorting through candy at the end of the night, be sure to throw away any candy that is not in its original wrapper, or looks as though it has been opened. Halloween safety tips are important, but you should make sure you’re following these lesser-known Halloween etiquette rules too.

If you follow these safety rules you should have a safe and happy Halloween.

Trick-or-treat hours throughout the area are October 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. The exception is Montgomery, where it is 6:30 to 8 p.m., due to a Halloween parade in downtown Montgomery that begins at 6 p.m.