Here's some valuable tips you may want to pass on to your neighborhood or your real estate farm area.  Statistics show that children (especially teenagers) are more likely to engage in risky behavior on Halloween.  Why?  Between haunted houses, scary costumes, the bit of freedom they might have on that night and the parties, the possibilities are endless. 

1.  Know where your children are at all times.  Have them check in regularly.

2.  Make sure they stay with a crowd and don't wonder off alone.  Do not allow them to go inside anyone's house during trick or treating (of course unless you've made plans ahead of time).  They should never walk inside someone's house they do not know.

3.  Set clear rules & boundaries.  Make certain children know of the consequences if they break the rules.

4.  Set clear start and end times, when the children must arrive back home.

5.  Costumes must be safe, not too tight and easy to breath through masks. Flame retardent material is a must.

6.  Give your trick or treaters a flashlight or glow sticks at the least.

7.  Learn how to safeguard your teen from drug and alcohol use and other risky behaviors.

8.  Talk to other parents and share stories about what has worked for you and what hasn't.

9.  Inspect candy. Throw out candy that looks tampered with or rewrapped.

10.Make certain children (and parents) understand traffic rules.  Look both ways before crossing the street.  Drivers: Be careful this Halloween and slow down.  Don't use a cell phone or text while driving through neighborhoods.  Be alert and watch out for Trick-or-Treaters.

Agents, here's a tip....I print small bags with my brokerage & name and fill with candy.  This accomplishes a couple of things.  My farm area gets another peak at me & when trick or treaters are at my door, there's no decision about how much of a handfull is enough to give out!