Here’s how to make Halloween memorable and safe

As the kids carve out their routes for neighborhood and community trick-or-treating, it’s important for adults to craft a safety plan for the night and ensure everyone knows the do’s and don’ts:

First, the do’s:
• Children under age 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision.
• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Put electronic devices down, 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
• Watch for cars turning or backing up. Remind children to never dart into the street or cross between parked cars.
• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and choose light colors.
• Use face paint and makeup instead of masks which can obstruct a child’s vision.
• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen.
• Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
• Make sure children know your cellphone number, their home phone number and their address in case you are separated.
• Have fun and make memories.

The don’ts:
• Never accept rides from strangers.
• Never eat homemade treats made by strangers.
• Never enter a stranger’s home or vehicle.
• Never run from house to house.
• Never wear dark costumes.
• Never trick or treat in unfamiliar neighborhoods.
• Never carry toy weapons

Dallas typically holds its trick-or-treat hours on Halloween night, usually between the hours of
6 and 9 p.m.