Halloween is arguably the best holiday of the year. There’s nothing better than dressing up all spooky and running around all night. The pranks, the candy, the spooks: they all make Halloween the funnest time of the year. But while Halloween is a time to let loose and go wild, it’s important to be careful, otherwise your holiday might turn sour. To stay safe this Halloween, simply follow some of these tips.

See and Be Seen
It’s very easy for drivers not to see kids and teens in the road, so it’s up to you to always be aware of your surroundings. In order to increase your visibility to drivers, you can put reflective tape on your clothes or opt for the more fashionable option: glow sticks. If neither of those options are available to you, a flashlight is the best choice.

Go in a Group
Halloween is unique among holidays due to the fact that it happens near sundown or at night. Because of unknowns in the darkness, nighttime can be very dangerous, so plan to do Halloween at least with one other person in order to decrease your chances of running into trouble. Predators can take advantage of the chaos to pull a shady trick, so be safe and don’t go alone.

Don’t Run
Don’t run. Period. If you’re going outside, chances are you’ll be in neighborhoods swarming with kids. Not only it is very easy to not to see a child or toddler and run into them, It’ll also always creates a messy situation between you, the parents, and the crying child. Halloween is supposed to be a fun holiday for everyone, so don’t be the person who ruins it for others by being rude and pushy.
This is especially important when it comes to crossing the street. Children aren’t the only ones who like to have fun on Halloween, adults do too, and sometimes they take it too far. 44% of national fatal crashes include an intoxicated driver, and it’s up to you to avoid becoming a victim. To avoid becoming a victim of one such accident, Make sure you’re cautious when crossing the road, and look left and right before walking.

Dress Warmly
Nighttime temperatures in Austin during the month of October usually reach as low as anywhere from 59 degrees Fahrenheit. While it might be tempting to abandon practicality for the “cool” factor of a costume, you won’t feel so cool the next day with a stuffy nose and raw throat. Plan ahead with a costume that provides enough warmth to avoid being sick for weeks after just one night.

Be Aware of Who You Talk To
This is something that everybody should know by now, but it doesn’t hurt to reiterate. Stranger danger is a real threat, so always be careful. Never get in a car with somebody you don’t know, and always be aware of who you’re accepting candy from. Don’t go to houses that aren’t well lit, haven’t been visited by kids before, or just look peculiar. Avoid going into unknown neighborhoods and being with strangers for too long. Know where you are at all times, and who you’re with.

6. Be Cautious While Driving
Many Westwood students are new drivers and have never experienced driving on Halloween night. The most important thing to do is to be more careful than you usually would be driving at night. Be aware of the space and people around you, and what they’re doing. Children can be unpredictable, so in crowded neighborhoods be ready to have to brake suddenly. Hopefully, you won’t have to but always plan for the worst.
Additionally, drive slower in family neighborhoods. Halloween is mostly celebrated by little kids, and while most of them probably know better than to suddenly burst out in the middle of the road, some don’t. Children haven’t yet grasped that the world can be a dangerous place. They aren’t expecting anything bad to happen to them and so they don’t think twice about doing things that are bad for them. Like running on the road. So, as a driver anticipate the worst, and slow down.

Halloween is a time for all to let loose and have fun, but always remember to stay safe!