Halloween is right around the corner, and, while your family plans for some spooky fun, make sure you also plan to keep the holiday safe. Halloween can provide plenty of scares, but safety hazards shouldn’t be among them. Here are some frightfully easy tips to keep you and your ghouls and goblins safe this Halloween. 

Safe Decorating Tips

• Use battery- or electric-powered lights, like tea lights, to light up your jack-o’-lantern. These are much safer alternatives to using a candle with an open flame inside. 
• Keep your porch and steps well-lit and free of obstacles to avoid falls. 
• Outdoor lights and decorations should be plugged into outlets that feature Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters. Decorative lights should be approved by Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) and carry a UL seal on the tag. Red UL tags indicate the lights are approved for indoor or outdoor use, while green UL tags indicate they are for indoor use only. 
• Place all outdoor Halloween lights on a timer if you are going to be away from home. Make sure the lights are off before you go to bed. 

Trick-or-Treating Tips

• Take flashlights with fresh batteries and distribute glow sticks and necklaces to help light the way.
• Make sure your cell phone is charged prior to walking your route and plan out your route ahead of time.
• Look both ways and cross the street at corners. Use streetlights and crosswalks when they are available.
• Add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags so children can be seen at night.
• Remember to check all candy prior to consumption!