Halloween is quickly approaching! The City of Sturgis trick or treating hours will be as follows:

The Downtown businesses will host trick or treating on Wednesday, October 31, 2012, from 4pm to 6pm. The community wide trick or treating will be from 6pm to 8pm.

Here are a few safety tips to consider while trick or treating:

Children should:

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

Travel in small groups and be accompanied by an adult.

Carry a cell phone and know how to reach you and how to call 911 in an emergency, like if they get lost.

Have their full names and phone number attached to their costumes somewhere if they are too young to remember them.

Bring treats home before eating them so parents can inspect them. Although the risk that your child's Halloween candy has been tampered with is extremely low, there is also the chance that his candy is unwrapped or spoiled.

Use costume knives and swords that are flexible, not rigid or sharp.

When walking in neighborhoods, they should:

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

Cross streets at the corner, use crosswalks (where they exist), and do not cross between parked cars.

Stop at all corners and stay together in a group before crossing.

Wear clothing that is bright, reflective, and flame retardant.

Consider using face paint instead of masks. (Masks can obstruct a child's vision.)

Avoid wearing hats that will slide over their eyes.

Avoid wearing long, baggy, or loose costumes or oversized shoes (to prevent tripping).

Be reminded to look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.

Parents and adults should:

Supervise the outing for children under age 12.

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

Prepare homes for trick-or-treaters by clearing porches, lawns, and sidewalks and by placing jack-o-lanterns away from doorways and landings.

Avoid giving choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys as treats to young children.

Inspect all candy for safety before children eat it.

Make sure children under age 10 are supervised as they cross the street.

Drive slowly.

Watch for children in the street and on medians.

Exit driveways and alleyways carefully.

Have children get out of cars on the curb side, not on the traffic side.