Halloween is fast approaching. Here is the info for some of the Upper Valley towns that designate a specific time for kids to go door to door on October 31st.

Bradford: 5 to 8pm

Canaan: 5 to 7pm

Enfield: 5 to 7pm

Lebanon: 6 to 8pm

Newport: 5 to 8pm

Norwich: Starting at the Norwich Inn from 3:30 to 5:30pm

Sunapee: 5:30 to 8:30pm

To make sure everyone has a safe and fun evening, here are some trick-or-treating tips for your kids and for you! Before your group of ghouls starts their adventure, take a few minutes to talk to them about how to do it safely.

Use this as a starter if you’d like: The ABCs for Kids Halloween Safety

A. Remember safe walking and street-crossing rules, such as looking both ways and crossing at corners, in crosswalks, and according to traffic signals. Kids should stay on sidewalks and pathways, or along the left side of the road facing traffic. Also, remind them not to go between parked cars and to look for vehicles that are turning or backing up.

B. Put reflective tape or stickers on costumes and treat bags, especially if they are in dark colors. And avoid masks—they can obscure a child’s vision. Kids should also carry glow sticks or flashlights.

C. All kids under the age of 12 should have an adult with them. If they are old enough to go without you, make it clear that they are to travel in groups and travel in approved areas and familiar neighborhoods. Remind them to pass by homes that are not lit.

For Grown-Up Ghouls

If your child has electronic devices (cell phones, music players, etc.), make sure he or she leaves them at home. If they are going out on their own and you want them to bring along a cell phone, make it clear that they need to keep it in their pocket unless it’s needed. You want to prevent them from looking at it while walking instead of paying attention to their surroundings. 

Perhaps most important, be extra careful if you need to drive on this spooky night. Watch closely when backing out of your driveway; double check when pulling out of a parking lot; and drive slowly in kid-busy areas. Give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination so you can go slower than you normally would, and keep your cell phone and radio off to eliminate distractions. If at all possible, just avoid driving altogether, or at least stay clear of the popular trick-or-treat neighborhoods.

For more Halloween safety tips and ideas for healthy fun, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at (www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/index.htm).