Halloween can be great fun for children, young people and grown ups. It’s spooky, it involves fancy dress, and it’s an opportunity to eat lots of sweets (or other more healthy alternatives, like apples).

Halloween isn’t great fun for everybody though. Some people can find Halloween and its traditions, like ‘trick or treating’, annoying and even frightening. For these reasons it’s really important to remember that the festivities are optional.

Here are some tips to follow to ensure that you and your family stay safer:

• Be sure that either you or another responsible adult accompanies your children.
• Encourage your child to stay with their friends and not to split up into smaller groups.
• Advise your children not to talk to strangers and not to go into anyone’s house.
• Talk with your children about road safety, encouraging them to stick to areas that are well lit, to wear something bright so that drivers can see them and take extra care when crossing roads.
• Make sure that your child looks out for ‘No Trick No Treat No Thanks’ posters. Residents will put these up on their doors or windows if they don’t want to be disturbed.