With Halloween just a week away, costumes have been prepared and lay waiting, as many of us are left hustling to the local stores in search of candy to pass out.

The holiday is a very exciting time for children, but it’s important to remind them that a great Halloween is also a safe Halloween.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website, www.cdc.gov, has created a list of tips for maintaining safety on Oct. 31 in the form of the mnemonic “SAFE HALLOWEEN”:

≤ Swords, knives and other costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible.

≤ Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.

≤ Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.

≤ Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.

≤ Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. WALK and don’t run from house to house.

≤ Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.

≤ Look both ways before crossing the street. Use crosswalks wherever possible.

≤ Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses. For more information on this, see Tuesday’s Health section in the Journal.

≤ Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.

≤ Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls.

≤ Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.

≤ Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Never accept rides from strangers.

≤ Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

Follow these tips, and you are likely have a “scary” good time! The Mining Journal would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween.