All Hallow's Eve gives kids of all ages a chance to dress up, eat lots of candy and other goodies and have some fun.
To make sure ghosts, witches, goblins and other things that go bump in the night get to take in all the fun, public safety officials say they just need to follow some simple safety rules.
Light-colored clothing is recommended to help people see kids at night, but many of the best scary costumes are dark, so reflective tape should be added to help out, police said.
A flashlight or glow stick also can be carried to help kids see and show off their costumes.
Costumes also should be made with flame-resistant fabrics and should not block kids' vision.
Kids should only trick-or-treat in their own neighborhoods, should plan their route ahead of time with parents, and should be accompanied by parents or an older sibling.
Houses with lights on are the only ones that should be stopped at and kids never should go into a stranger's house for any reason, officials say.
"If a stranger invites you inside, say 'No,' get away and tell a trusted adult," police say.
And while it may be hard to resist the treats that are gathered at each house, kids should wait until they get home so parents can inspect the goodies first.
Fire officials urge the use of battery-operated candles or flashlights instead of candles or torch lights for decorations.
Drivers should slow down and pay extra attention when they are out on Halloween.
"Know that kids are going to be excited and run between cars," said Mike Blatman, Kennewick police spokesman.
Big kids -- those over 21 -- also should remember that if they are going to drink at a Halloween party, they need to plan in advance to take a cab or have a designated driver take them home.
"It's not an open invitation to drink and get behind the wheel," Blatman said.
Halloween night is one of the deadliest of the year for crashes involving impaired drivers, officials said.
In 2009, 48 percent of all highway fatalities that occurred between 6 p.m. Oct. 31 and 5:59 a.m. Nov. 1 were caused by an impaired driver, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
