Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Fort Worth, TX

In order for this year's Halloween fest and quest for candy to be as safe as possible, here are some tried-and-true safety tips for parents and children to take into consideration:

1.  Make safe costumes

• Check to make sure costumes are flame retardant.
• Keep costumes short to prevent tripping and falling. High heels aren't a good idea for the same reason.
• Try makeup instead of a mask, which can obscure vision.
• Make sure costumes are made of light-colored material, or apply reflective tape to them for maximum visibility.
• Construct fake knives, swords, guns and costume accessories from cardboard or other flexible materials to ensure no one accidentally gets hurt, or better yet, don't include them.
• Make sure everyone dresses appropriately for the cold weather. A costume might look cool, but is it worth getting frostbite over? If a child doesn't want to cover his costume with a coat, consider buying it a size larger so warmer clothes can be worn underneath.
• Consider securing emergency identification information (name, address and phone number) discreetly within Halloween attire or on a bracelet.
• Carry a flashlight or light stick to see in the dark.

2.  Tips for treat givers

• Remove objects from the yard that might present a hazard.
• Make sure your dog doesn't chase or bite neighborhood children or become a nuisance when trick-or-treaters come to the door. 
• Use plenty of illumination. Don't make trick-or-treaters guess if you are participating, and a lot of light helps prevent acts of vandalism.
• Consider purchasing individually packaged healthy food alternatives or safe non-food treats like pencils or stickers to give out.

 3.  Tips for parents

• Make sure older children go in groups and younger children are accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible sibling. An adult should always accompany a trick-or-treater under 10!
• Consider mapping out a route for older children to follow so you'll know where they will be while trick or treating and remind them not to take shortcuts through backyards, alleys or playing fields.
• Tell children to stay on the sidewalk, to use crosswalks and to walk, not run, from house-to-house.
• Remind children to walk on the left side of the road facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.
• Remind children to look left, right, then left again before crossing the street, because, although they might see a car, the driver might not see them.
• Tell children not to eat their treats until they get home. One way to keep them from digging in while they are still out is to feed them a meal or substantial snack beforehand.
• Also instruct children to never accept rides from people they don't know or go into a home they are not familiar with.
• Be sure that shoes fit and are comfortable, even if they don't match the costume.
• Children shouldn't eat anything until they get home and parents have been able to ensure that the treats are safe. By serving a big dinner before trick-or-treating, you can reduce the desire to snack before getting home.
• Discard any homemade goodies and anything that is not in its original wrapper or if the wrapper is torn or has holes in it.

Have a wonderful (and slightly spooky!) Halloween!