5 Things Maine Families Can Do To Stay Safe While Trick-or-Treating Tonight

Halloween...a day full of masks, mischief, and massive amounts of sugar.

Throngs of kiddos running amok, fueled by Twizzlers and terror. It's often a recipe for disaster, but there are ways to help the holiday from getting too out of control!

Read More: America's Healthiest Halloween Candy is Not Maine's Favorite

As you head out the door with your family tonight,  here are 5 things you can do to make your Trick-or-treating safer during the spooky season.

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The kid-experts at healthychildren.org, keeping these things in mind, can help you win Halloween this year!

1.) When it comes to costumes, the bright and simple is best!

Making sure all costumes fit well,  don't obstruct your child's ability to see, and that there are no sharp accessories (like swords) that would injure someone, can help your child stay safe and comfortable while they're going door-to-door.

Wearing reflective clothing, or something that lights up, is an added bonus.

2.) Individually wrapped candies are your friend.

Handing out candy that's individually wrapped in treat bags or wrappers is helpful.

Many kids have allergies these days, so making sure the ingredients are available for parents to review is also important.

Plus, it makes checking that candy at the end of the evening easier.

3.) Check the path and make sure it's safe to visit or have visitors. 

Safety experts say that being mindful of your surroundings, not just in the case of who's out there, but what, is important.

• Watch for tripping hazards (like ill-placed decorations)
• Keep it lit--literally..Check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.

• Clear the path; Sweep wet leaves from sidewalks and steps to prevent anyone from slipping on them.
• Be mindful of pets...keep them in a separate space from hyper kids in costumes. 

4.) Check the candy your kids collect before they start to eat it.

Law enforcement experts remind folks that anything that's not wrapped by the factory or isn't sealed should be thrown away. No candy bar or lollipop is ever worth taking a risk with the health and well-being of any child.

5.) Know where to go, and where not to. 

Remind kids to only hit the houses with lights that are on.

It's an exciting night, and sometimes kids can forget traffic laws. A quick reminder about looking both ways and using crosswalks, and how it might be tricky for drivers to see some of those darker costumes, so make sure you've made eye contact with a driver before crossing the street is a good idea.

Make sure there's a trusted adult walking around with the really little ones.

You can check out safekids.org for other Halloween safety tips! Enjoy!