Protect your family while trick or treating this Halloween

Halloween is a fun night for kids— who doesn't love collecting candy for free? It can also be a dangerous one.

It's also one of the biggest nights for mischief. Here are some tips from AAA, the Red Cross and North Tonawanda Police to keep your family safe this holiday.

• Prepare for pranksters by parking your car in a garage or a safe, well-lit area. Make sure your doors are locked and valuables are safe inside your home.
• If you're driving during trick-or-treating hours, make sure your headlights are on so you can spot kids more easily. Drive slowly.
• Turn on any outdoor lighting you may have, to make it easier for trick-or-treaters to see and to deter any pranksters
• If you can, use face makeup instead of masks for costumes. Masks can make it hard to see
• Give kids a flashlight or put reflective tape on their costumes and trick-or-treat bags
• Walk on the sidewalks, but if none are available, walk at the edge of the road, facing traffic
• Make sure an adult checks candy before eating. Throw out any loose candy, open packages and choking hazards.
• Throw away any candy with brand names you don't recognize

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