Checking your kids’ candy after an evening of trick-or-treating seems like a no-brainer, but there’s other safety tips you should keep in mind too as you prepare for tonight’s traditions of costumes and pumpkin carving.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, parents should make sure costume accessories such as swords and knives are short, soft and flexible.

The CDC also encourages parents to avoid letting children trick-or-treat alone and fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags so that drivers can easily see children near the street. A flashlight is also a good idea.

The CDC also recommends that parents and children alike avoid the risk of serious eye injury by avoiding decorative contact lenses.

Nicole Bailes, Hall County Sheriff’s Office Spokeswoman offered the following advice:

• Masks tend to limit a child’s field of vision and can aggravate the skin. A good alternative is face paint.

• It is a good idea to ensure your child’s costume is flame-resistant in the event it comes in contact with lighted pumpkins on porches, etc.

• Have children wear brightly colored costumes to assist with the visibility of your child when trick or treating. Also, carry flashlights or glow sticks to assist in the visibility when walking from home to home.

• Parents should always accompany their children to the doorsteps of homes when receiving candy.

• Always travel in groups; this works to assist in visibility and helps with physical safety to travel in numbers.

• Parents should check candy before allowing children to consume.

• Trick or treat in neighborhoods that you are familiar with, it also a good idea to check the GBI’s website for locations/residences of sex offenders in your area.

• For adults planning to attend Halloween parties, please drink responsibly and make plans for designated drivers.