Stay safe, spooky this Halloween with safety tips for everyone

It's the spookiest time of year, and little ghouls and goblins will soon be trotting about, their vibrant pumpkins brimming with treats and their giggles loud.

And despite the terror and fright that comes from well-thought-out costumes and horror films of what goes bump in the night, the festivities can be both safe and a scary good time.

Which is why Safe Kids Worldwide urges families to take the necessary precautions to make the most of the Halloweekend this October.

Safe Kids Worldwide is a nonprofit organization working to reduce preventable injuries to children ages 0-19 and build sustainable systems that support injury prevention. A Safe Kids coalition exists in Sumter County, led by Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital.

On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Injuries can vary and can even be fatal.

Safe Kids Worldwide offers several tips to ensure parents and children can follow to stay safe on the spookiest of holidays.

For parents and children

Costumes can be both creative and safe. The most important thing is to make sure you can be seen by drivers. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.

Masks can obstruct your vision, so choose non-toxic face paint and make-up whenever possible.

Children under the age of 12 should be accompanied when trick-or-treating. If children are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well-lit and should trick-or-treat in a group.

Carry glow sticks or flashlights so you can see better, as well as be seen by drivers. Liquid in glow sticks is hazardous, so parents should remind children not to chew on or break them.

Cross the street safely at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look left, right and left again when crossing, and keep looking as you cross.

Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

Put electronic devices down and keep heads up as you walk and don't run across the street.

Walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.

Once the treats have been secured, go the extra mile and double check them before eating.

Check treats for signs of tampering before allowing children to eat them.

Remind children to only eat treats in their original, unopened wrappers. Candy should be thrown away if the wrapper is faded or torn or if the candy is unwrapped.

While parents and children should be alert while searching for treats, those who occupy the roadways should also be mindful of the environment and the excitement that surrounds it.

Here's how:

Slow down in residential neighborhoods. Remember that popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.

Be especially alert and take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.

Reduce any distractions inside your car, such as talking on the phone or eating, so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.