Safety tips for Halloween trick-or-treaters and accompanying parties

DENVER (KDVR) — Halloween night is approaching and the pitter-patter of thousands of children's feet will soon echo throughout the night. While generating fear is a theme that follows the holiday, some aspects can be truly scary and have more permanent effects than a jump scare in a spooky yard.

While some stories are filled with Halloween lore there are many reasons to be cautious on the night. Here are some tips to help children and adults alike to have a safe and fun Halloween.

Trick-or-treaters

Group up — More eyes to keep a lookout for possible threats is always a good thing. Never stray from the group and don't travel on streets or approach a home alone.

Follow the light — Staying in well-lit areas will allow people to get the best chance to keep an eye on trick-or-treaters. This will increase the risk of people being identified or caught if performing a bad act.

Don't enter homes — It is a rule to never enter a stranger's car for candy and the same can be said about their homes. No matter how friendly or unsuspecting they may seem, it is never a good idea to enter their home.

Wait to eat treats — Razor blades, drugs, needles, the list of bad things that can be found in candy goes on. Wait until you get home and have an adult check your hoard of candy before diving in.

Costumes — Halloween costumes can be based on dark and spooky themes, which match the color of night. If a trick-or-treater is wearing a blackout costume, consider brightening it up with reflective tape or giving them a flashlight. FOX31's Pinpoint Weather Forecast is predicting a freezing Halloween. Spider-Man is never too cool to wear a coat!

Parents or guardians need to be cautious too

Drive extra carefully — Even in areas where you think you are in the clear, excited children can pop up out of nowhere eager to get to the next area for candy. Driving slowly and keeping your eyes peeled can help reduce the risk of hitting anybody.

Keep those eyes open — It takes a village, right? Even the most eagle-eyed of parents can struggle to keep an eye on their trick-or-treaters. A joint effort to make sure the kiddos remain safe is a great way to make sure nothing bad happens.

Rules of the road — Although traffic may be slower and cars may be stopping in more unorthodox places, the rules of the road still apply. Whipping U-turns in the middle of traffic or disobeying marked signs can lead to severe consequences.

Pet safety

Pet costumes — They do look cute, don't they? Unfortunately, they may not love their costume as much as you do. Keep an eye on your animal's behavior and if they seem stressed or are acting out of the norm due to their costume it is a good idea to take it off.

Fleeing creatures — Doggies love it when people come up to the door. Make sure any animals are in a safe area and can't dash when greeting trick-or-treaters, no matter how friendly your animal is, a darting animal can appear to be threatening. No one wants to see their child hurt by a pet and no one wants to see their pet hurt by someone protecting a child.

Halloween is a fun and exciting holiday centered on fear and make-believe. Seeing scary stories turn into reality is something no parent, child or community wants to happen. Let the scary stories remain stories and work diligently together to make Halloween as safe and fun as possible.