Police are warning parents of little goblins, ghouls, monsters and mummies to be careful while trick-or-treating this Halloween.

Here's a roundup of tips for Oct. 31 from police forces in the area:

  • Avoid dark coloured costumes, and consider attaching reflective tape to clothing. Kids can also wear glow-stick necklaces or bracelets to be more visible.
  • Make sure costumes fit well and don't drag on the ground, to prevent tripping.
  • Younger kids should be accompanied by adults, and older kids are advised to travel in groups. Children should spend Halloween in their own neighbourhood, sticking to familiar streets.
  • Teach children never to enter a stranger's residence, and arrange a time when they are expected home. If the child is out without an adult, make sure they bring a cellphone.
  • Walk only on sidewalks when possible, or on the far edge of the road facing oncoming traffic. Avoid crossing the street as much as possible by sticking to one side at a time while going door-to-door.
  • Choose makeup instead of masks when possible, to prevent vision obstruction.
  • Make sure there is a clear pathway to your door, removing all tripping hazards including garden tools and ornaments.
  • Inspect candy and discard any homemade treats, unless you know where they came from. Anything unwrapped or partially unwrapped should be discarded.

Drivers are advised to travel slowly and watch for children during evening hours.

More collisions on Halloween

In a statement released Thursday, Toronto police warned that the average number of collisions in the city typically rises on Halloween.

On a daily basis, Toronto sees between 138 and 167 collisions per day, police said, but on Halloween that number climbs to as many as 324 collisions. In some cases, that represents a 115 per cent increase in the daily collision rate.

The majority of the collisions occur between noon and 8 p.m.

Drivers are reminded that children may be preoccupied with trick-or-treating and may not be paying attention to the rules of the road. Motorists should keep vehicle speeds at or below the posted limits, and scan the road for children attempting to cross streets mid-block.

Police also released a pedestrian safety message on YouTube ahead of Halloween.