With Halloween right around the corner, the Shelby County Red Cross offers tips to help parents and children celebrate safely this year.

-Use flame-resistant costumes.

-Plan your route and make sure adults know where children are going.

-A parent or responsible adult should accompany young children as they make their way around the neighborhood.

-Make sure the trick-or-treaters have a flashlight.

-Add reflective tape to costumes, trick-or-treat bags, bikes, skateboards (and don’t forget brooms!) Have everyone wear light-colored clothing to be seen.

-Visit only the homes that have a porch light on.

-Accept treats at the door — never go inside.

-Instead of masks which can cover your eyes and make it hard to see, use face makeup.

-Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street.

-If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic.

-Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at the corner.

-Don’t cut across yards or use alleys. Don’t cross between parked cars.

-Be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.

-If you are welcoming ghosts and goblins, make sure your outdoor lights are on.

-Sweep leaves from your sidewalks and steps.

-Clear your porch or front yard of any obstacles that a child could trip over.

-Restrain your pets.

-Use a glow stick instead of a candle in your jack-o-lantern to avoid a fire hazard.

Visit www.alredcross.org for more information on how to have a safe and happy Halloween.

Mary Kinard is the community executive director at the Shelby County Red Cross. She can be reached at 987-2792.