The St. Lawrence County Traffic Safety Program says “Think Safe on Halloween.”

It's almost Halloween and that means that vampires and wizards will be trick-or-treating in St. Lawrence County neighborhoods. Because kids tend to focus on the excitement of Halloween and forget about safety, it's up to parents, caregivers, and motorists to take special care so that everyone has a safe and happy holiday and isn’t "haunted" by unnecessary injuries.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, kids ages 5 to 14 are four times more likely to be killed as pedestrians on Halloween than on any other day of the year. A 2011 study just released by National Safe Kids revealed that more than two-thirds of parents did not discuss pedestrian safety behavior -- or any safety behavior -- with their child before Halloween trick or treating. Even more alarming, more than one in nine parents allowed their children aged 5 years or younger to trick or treat without any adult supervision.

Aside from the obvious hazards posed by excited children darting into the roadway, a major risk on Halloween night is the high number of drunk drivers on the roads. In 2009, 48 percent of all highway fatalities across the nation on Halloween night (6 p.m. Oct. 31 to 6 a.m. Nov. 1) involved a driver or a motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher.

Other common Halloween injuries for children are due to burns and falls.

The St. Lawrence County Traffic Safety Program is providing the following safety tips to help to ensure a safe Halloween for everyone.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to accompany very young children as they travel from house to house. Children under about 10 or 12 should trick or treat with an adult or older sibling. Before that age, they do not have the ability to assess traffic risks or other situations. Older children should travel with at least one buddy.

Review the safe crossing rules and other safety tips with your children:

• Walk on the sidewalk if there is one. If there is none, walk on the left side of the road facing traffic

• Cross only at crosswalks, and never cross between parked cars

• Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross. Walk, don't run, across the street.

• You can use a web site such as the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s page, http://www.co.st-lawrence.ny.us/Departments/Sheriff/SexOffenderWatch, to find out where registered sex offenders live.

• Although cases of tampering are rare, instruct your child not to eat treats until they get home. Inspect the treats for anything suspicious, such as candy that appears to have been unwrapped.

• Prepare your home and yard for trick-or-treaters by clearing porches, lawns, and sidewalks

• Use LED lights instead of candles in jack-o-lanterns.

• Avoid giving candy or items such as gum, peanuts, or small toys that could be a choking hazard for young children.

Some advice regarding costumes:

• Purchase or make costumes that are light colored and clearly visible to motorists.

• Have your child carry or wear a light to help your child see and be seen. You might carry a flashlight for your younger child. For an older child, make sure they can manage the light and a goody bag. Some camping and department stores have head or arm lamps that may help.

• If the costume is dark, you can help visibility by trimming the costume with reflective tape, or at the very least, by attaching some light colored decorations to all sides.

• Make sure costumes are short enough so they don't cause children to trip or fall.

• Avoid cumbersome objects such as swords that may cause the child to trip.

• Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes, even if they don’t quite match the costume.

• Use non-toxic makeup instead of masks so that the child has a full field of vision. If you must use a mask, it may help to enlarge ear and eye holes.

• Tie hats and scarves securely to prevent them from slipping over children's eyes.

For drivers:

• Most of all, focus your full attention on the road.

• Don’t drive impaired by alcohol or other drugs. Buzzed driving is drunk driving.

• Slow down! The faster you are traveling, even at village speeds, the more damage your vehicle can do.

• Turn your headlights on earlier in the day so you can spot children from greater distances.

• Remember that costumes can limit children's visibility and they may not be able to see your vehicle.

• Exit driveways and alleys carefully, especially when backing up.

• If you are driving your children to trick or treating sites, make sure they are buckled in a car seat that fits their weight and height. Children should exit the vehicle on the curb side.