Only an adult should do the actual carving; children can draw a face and scoop out the pumpkin.
Only an adult should light the candle in the pumpkin.
Make sure the candle is stable (won't tip over).
Make sure the candle won't burn the pumpkin.
Trick or Treating
Tell children to avoid even normally friendly neighborhood dogs, who can be startled by children they know in unfamiliar costumes.
No child should go trick or treating alone.
Make sure young children are accompanied by an adult; older children should go in groups.
Allow children to go trick or treating early but avoid the evening rush hour. It's harder for motorists to see clearly during twilight than any other time of day.
Give children specific neighborhood boundaries for trick-or-treating.
Set a curfew for your children and be firm about it.
Have children wear light colored or reflective clothing.
Remind children to walk on sidewalks and be cautious when crossing streets.
Tell children to go only to homes and neighbors they know and only to houses with lights on.
Tell children to turn down all invitations to enter homes. Period.
Costumes
Put strips of reflective tape on the front and back of costumes to make them more visible to drivers.
Give children flashlights to carry, never candles.
Make sure all facepaints, glues, and glitters are nontoxic. Be aware of children's allergic reactions to these products.
Don't allow children to wear costumes that drag and could make them trip.
Don't allow children to carry sharp objects.
Check labels to see that all costumes and accessories are flame resistant.
Make sure children can see well and breathe easily through masks.
Treats
Warn children not to eat any treats before returning home (a filling dinner helps out).
Throw away any homemade treats or any treats with torn or unsealed wrapping.
Wash all fruit and cut it open to check for foreign objects before eating.