Halloween is a time for fun and treats. But, guess what? Do you know that four times as many kids between the ages of 5 and 14 are killed while walking on Halloween night compared to any other night of the year. Falls are the leading cause of injuries among children on Halloween. Many of these Halloween-related injuries could be prevented if parents would closely supervise their school-age children during their trick-or-treat activities.

The following safety tips have been summarized and published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Safety Council:

Children should:

* Go only to well-lit houses and remain on the porches rather than entering the house.

* Travel in small groups and have an adult as a chaperone.

* Know their phone number and have at least one cell phone in the group. (In the past, the recommendation was small coins for emergency use in pay stations.)

* Have name tags with addresses on their costumes.

* Bring the "goody" bag home for parents to inspect before eating any of it.

* Use flexible swords and knives with costumes instead of the hard, rigid plastic type.

When walking in neighborhoods:

* Use flashlights, stay on sidewalks and avoid crossing through yards.

* It is recommended to use face paint instead of masks. Some types of masks tend to obstruct the kids' vision.

* Avoid wearing hats that then to slide over the eyes.

* Avoid wearing long, baggy or loose costumes or oversized shoes. All these things can promote trips or falls.

* Be sure to remind all involved to look left, right and then take a second look both ways again before crossing streets.

* Use crosswalks (cross at street corners) when available and don't cross between parked cars.

* Stop at all corners and cross in groups.

* Wear bright, flame retardant and reflective clothing.

Parents and adults should:

* Supervise the trick-or-treat outings for all kids under 12 years of age.

* Establish a curfew (a return time) for the older children.

* Prepare the home for trick-or-treaters by cleaning off the porch, lawns and sidewalks and placing jack-o-lanterns away from doorways and landings.

* Avoid giving hard candy, nuts and gum or small toys to small children for fear of their getting choked.

* Inspect all candy for safety before the kids begin to eat it.

* Insure the safety of pedestrian trick-or-treaters.

* Supervise all kids under 10 years of age as they cross the street.

* Watch for children in the streets and on the medians.

* Exit driveways and alleyways carefully.

* Have kids to always exit the car on the passenger side.

* Carve pumpkins on flat, stable surfaces with good lighting. Let the kids draw the faces on the pumpkins and the adults do the carving.

* Place lighted pumpkins away from draperies or other flammable objects. Do not leave lighted pumpkins unattended.

If we use these tips and relay them to our kids, Halloween will be a happy time and safer for all of us.