It’s the scariest time of the year – but it doesn’t have to be.

Just follow these simple tips to keep you and your family safe during the Halloween season.

What’s Cooking?

From pumpkin-carving to cookie-baking, the kitchen can be one of the busiest spots in the house.

• Tell your kids not to turn on or touch the stove burners, even when they “look cold” (because they might be extremely hot).
• Keep the oven door closed when in use.
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. If there’s a grease fire, never use water to put it out.
• Closely supervise all activities that call for the use of knives.
• When lighting a jack-o-lantern, do not create a fire hazard. Use an LED bulb instead of candles.
• Have a first-aid kit ready for any cuts or burns.

Haunted House

Avoid common hazards around the house. Use caution even in familiar settings.

•  If you plan to hand out candy from home, keep your sidewalks and steps well lit. Use a string of Halloween or Christmas lights to mark a path to the door.
• Replace the porch light if it’s out.
• Make sure all outside decorations are marked “for outdoor use.”
• Protect your circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) to prevent shocks.
• Keep electrical cords out of high-traffic areas, including doorways and walkways.
• Do not cut or fray the cords while attaching electrical decorations to the house.
• Kids like to play in dark, spooky places. Plug nightlights into your basement and attic outlets to make it safer.
• Teach your children to always look for the exits in any room.
• Turn off all lighted decorations before going to bed.

Trick-or-Treat!

For many, the best part of Halloween is Trick-or-Treat night. You’ll want to keep it “trick-free.” Prepare early.

•  If you buy a costume, make sure it’s flame-retardant.
• If you make a costume, turn off the sewing machine and iron when not in use.
• “I can’t see!” is a common costume mask complaint. Make sure your child can see clearly out of the eyeholes at all times.
• A dark costume is hard for drivers to see. Attach a reflector or reflector strip.
• Be aware of your neighborhood. Map out a route using the Internet or a cell phone app.
• Stick to residential areas and avoid busy streets and intersections if possible.
• Make sure the route is well-lit. If you see a streetlight out, call Alabama Power at 1-800-245-2244 to get it fixed days in advance.
• Give your children a freshly charged cell phone for emergencies. Pre-program your number so they don’t have to dial in the dark.
• Give them a small flashlight with good batteries. Test it first.
• One or more adults should supervise the trick-or-treaters at all times.

The Electrical Safety Foundation International contributed to this list.