Residents and volunteers gather for a Halloween celebration in Silver City. (Photo by John Sterr)

Parents of ghouls, goblins, witches or wizards play a crucial role ensuring a safe Halloween. You can make the holiday as sweet as the trick-or-treat candy with these helpful safety tips from the City of Milwaukee and Ebenezer Child Care Centers.

Picking a Costume

Use makeup instead of masks that make it difficult to see. Opt for bright costumes in communities that celebrate Halloween in the evening, so children are more visible on sidewalks.

Parents should also pay attention to weather reports. Temperatures can be chilly in late October so parents should ensure that children are warm enough when walking outdoors. Costumes should be loose enough to move easily.

Trick-or-Treating

Children should not go in search of candy alone and all groups should stay on sidewalks in familiar areas. Only visit homes with the lights on during official community times. Milwaukee’s official trick-or-treat time is Oct. 31 from 1 to 4 p.m. Journey House and the Clarke Square Initiative are hosting a Halloween celebration on Oct. 30 from 5 to 8 p.m., with a costume contest for youth between 6 and 7 p.m.

The old advice still holds true: Parents need to inspect candy before children eat it to be sure that it is not damaged or previously opened.

Pumpkin Carving

Creating the perfect jack-o-lantern for your home is a fun, seasonal family opportunity. Special carving tools are available at convenience stores and are a safer alternative than carving with knives.

When displaying your art creation, make sure there is nothing flammable nearby if the pumpkin is lit with a candle.

Driving

The Milwaukee Police Department reminds drivers to be aware of children who may run across streets on Halloween. When driving children for trick-or-treating, have them exit the car using the curbside door, so they are not entering moving traffic.