Kids’ minds are already conjuring up who and/or what they want to be for Halloween. Slow them down a tad and remind them about safety precautions so they have a trouble-free, fun trick-or-treating time.

Here are some reminders from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:

• Children shouldn’t accept or eat candy that isn’t commercially wrapped.
• They should wait until they get home to eat their candy.
• Parents should dispose of homemade items from their child’s goodie bag, as well as small items that may be a choking hazard.
• Inspect candy for suspicious markings and tampering, and discard.
• Ensure that juice served at parties is pasteurized, to kill bacteria.

• In case of the costume catching on fire, children should stop, drop to the ground and roll. Rolling will help extinguish the flames.
• At least one person in the group should carry a flashlight. It can help prevent falls and other surprises. Trick-or-treat the homes with the front light on. That’s your welcome sign.
• Walk on the sidewalk, not in the street. Look before you cross the street. Cross at intersections when you can. Cars can’t see people as easily as we think they can when it is dark.
• Never enter the house of strangers.
• If you have an older child out without parental supervision, make sure they have a cell phone so they call if there is an emergency.
• If they are seriously hurt or someone is threatening them, they should call 911.
• Know where all your children are going if you are not going to be with them.
• Tell your children to stay out of alleys and areas where there are not many people or lights. If street lights are few on your streets, perhaps everyone in the group could carry a flashlight.