Attorney General Chris Carr is wishing all Georgians Happy Halloween and offering a few safety and consumer tips for parents.

“Halloween is a great time to make memories with your friends and family,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “With some planning and preparation, you can take the stress out of the evening and make sure the kids are safe and prepared to gather as much candy as their bags can hold.”

Costumes:

It is important that costumes are fire retardant.

Masks make a great addition to a costume, but you should make sure your child has eye holes large enough for good peripheral vision.

If your child is carrying a prop, such as a scythe, butcher knife or a pitchfork, make sure that the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen on.

Make sure Halloween costumes fit properly. Allow extra room for warm clothes to be worn underneath the costume, while avoiding long, loose-fitting costumes that may pose a trip hazard or increase the chances of being ignited by an open flame, such as a candle.

Don’t wait until the last minute to shop for Halloween merchandise. Take the time to compare prices and return policies, if any, for your costume and tricks or treats. The Better Business Bureau offers some shopping tips here.

General Safety:

Know where your children are going to be. If they’re at a school function, friend’s house or public event, have a number for their supervisor, the address and a set pick-up time and location.

Explain to your children the proper forms of “trickery.” Vandalism is not okay, even on Halloween.

Serve your kids a filling meal before trick or treating and they won't be as tempted to eat any candy before they bring it home for you to check.

If you are allowing the children to trick or treat by themselves, know the route your children are taking.

Let them know to check in every hour, by phone or by stopping back at home. Make sure they know not to deviate from the planned route.

Be sure your children know how to cross a street properly. They should always look both ways before crossing the street and should only cross at corners or crosswalks. Make sure that if you have more than one child, they know to take the hand of the younger child when they cross a street.

Teach your kids about not getting into strangers’ cars or talking to strangers, no matter what the person says to them.

Teach your children never to approach a home that is not well lit inside and outside.

Decorations:

Keep open flames, such as candles, away from curtains, decorations or other objects that could catch fire.

Never leave lit candles unattended. Any open flame can potentially be dangerous. Consider purchasing battery-operated lights to place inside of pumpkins instead.