The trick-or-treat festivities are just about upon us… and so is the weekend. Fright night or a Monday or a Wednesday, well, pretty chill. Saturday’s frightful activities might be a bit less tame than usual.

So, in the name of good, clean, spooky fun, here are some hot tips from the Comox Valley’s own Street Smart Kidz, Public Safety Canada and Health Canada passing out excellent reminders of how to stay safe while enjoying the good times:

- If your child is age 10 or under they should go out with an adult, tweens and teens should tell you their exact route before leaving.

- Go through your kids candy thoroughly and throw out anything that’s homemade, any fruit, anything that’s open or looks even mildly suspicious. Error on the side of caution.

- Tell your children to stay in well lit areas and NEVER go inside a house, or visit a house with out a light on.

- Tell your children to NEVER go inside a car.

- Kids going out without an adult, should try to make arrangements to go out with a buddy or two.

- Tell your children to always use crosswalks and never cross half way down the block or in between cars, and to use the sidewalk whenever possible.

- If you’re out driving, GO SLOW AND CONCENTRATE.

- Small children should never carve pumpkins. Instead, let your child draw a face on the pumpkin (and then you carve it).

- Make your home safe for trick-or-treaters. Remove all objects around the outside of your house that could cause children to trip.

- Turn your outside light on so children will know they can visit your home.

- Keep candles, jack-o-lanterns, matches and lighters in a place that children cannot reach.

- Halloween candles with multiple wicks close to one another are hazardous and should not be used.

- Keep pets inside and away from trick-or-treaters and lit candles, especially if easily frightened or become over-excited near strangers.

- If using decorative lights indoors or outdoors, use lights certified by a recognized organization such as the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or the Underwriters’ Laboratory of Canada (ULC or C-UL). Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires or loose connections. Discard damaged sets. Do not overload extension cords.

- Tell your children not to eat any goodies until you see them. Make sure that your child eats dinner before they set out, so they’ll be less tempted to eat their goodies along the way.

- Children should walk, not run, from house to house.

Stay safe and have tons of fun!!!