Halloween is right around the corner and as kids prepare to put on their costumes and roam from house to house; parents and neighbors are taking into consideration a few safety requirements.
Travelers, an insurance provider, recently released five tips on how to stay safe during Halloween and keep the holiday trick-free.
1. Be Smart About Decorations Placement: Travelers asks parents to not overload the electrical outlets when it comes to plugging in your scary indoor décor. Don't overload electrical outlets when plugging in your scary indoor décor, especially the older decorations and always follow manufacturer instructions to help avoid unexpected damage to your home or guests.
"We like to focus on and recognize decorations on many different holidays," senior property specialist Jim Gustin said on website Travelers Risk Control.
The National Fire Prevention Association estimated that decorations were the item first ignited in an average of 1,000 reported home structure fires per year between 2006 and 2010.
2. When it comes to candles, handle them with care: Candle are easily knocked over by a pet, guest or child. Gustin told ABC News that it is important to keep a fire extinguisher accessible, filled and ready for operation.
"We recommend whenever possible that folks use battery-operated candles," he said. "If they are going to use candles inside of Jack-o'-Lanterns, make sure they are away from curtains, trees or combustible decorations."
3. Have a Clear and Safe Doorway for Trick-or-Treaters: Travelers ask that home owners check for damage to your roof and clean gutters and downspouts to keep debris from accumulating.
"We in the risk-control department are all about keeping people safe, whether it's from wires or preventing slips, trips and or falls," Gustin said. "Make sure that driveways and walkways are cleaned up and well maintained. Also lighting at transitions between the driveway and the walkway can prevent a potentially dangerous situation where someone could slip."
4. Pay Close Attention When Driving: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more children are killed in pedestrian-car accidents on Halloween between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 p.m., then the same hours of other days throughout the year. Distractions can be eliminated by keeping eyes on the road for any activity, including children in costumes.
5. Be a Safe Pedestrian: "We want to stress to folks as they or their children are out walking on Halloween that they need to pay attention, have a flashlight and have reflective clothing," Gustin said. "If people don't have their lights on, don't approach those homes because it has the potential to be a more dangerous situation."