Remember these Halloween safety tips

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Halloween is here. The holiday should be a lot of fun for children and adults, but having many costumed children roaming the streets at night can present unique safety challenges.

Several groups including the Indiana State Police and the Governor’s Council have released lists of safety tips for children, parents, and drivers. We’ve collected them here.

Trick-or-Treating Safety:

• Keep costumes short to prevent trips and falls.
• Try make-up instead of a mask. Masks often obstruct a child's vision, which makes tasks like crossing the street and going up and down stairs dangerous.
• Make sure children wear light colors or put reflective tape on their costumes.
• Encourage children to trick-or-treat while it is still light out. If children are out after dark, make sure they have flashlights and travel on well-lighted streets.
• Use crosswalks and sidewalks whenever possible.
• Make sure older children trick-or-treat with friends. Together, map out a safe route so parents know where they will be.
• Instruct children to stop only at familiar homes where the outside lights are on.
• Remind children not to enter the homes or cars of strangers.
• Follow your communities' trick-or-treating hours.
• Remind children not to eat any of their treats until they get home.
• Check all treats at home in a well-lighted place.
• Only eat unopened candies and other treats that are in original wrappers. Remember to inspect fruits for anything suspicious.
• Explore indoor trick-or-treating alternatives offered in their community hosted by hospitals, schools, churches, or other organizations.

Driving safety:

• Remember: dimly lit roadways and dark costumes can make trick-or-treaters and partygoers on foot difficult to see.
• Remove costumes that can restrict your vision when driving;
• Watch for pedestrians on roadways and at intersections;
• If you plan to consume alcohol, designate a sober driver and give that person your keys;
• If you become impaired, don’t get behind the wheel - use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation to get home safely; and
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, dial 911.