MARYSVILLE — As the spookiest day of the year approaches, Marysville police, fire and parks officials want to help parents ensure their kids have a safe and fun Halloween. Here are some Halloween safety tips aimed toward any community members who gets into the spirit of Halloween.

Adults

n Welcome trick-or-treaters with your porch lights and any exterior lights on.

n Patrol your street occasionally to discourage speeding motorists, acts of malicious mischief and crimes against children.

n Report any suspicious or criminal activity to police by calling 911 immediately.

n Candlelit jack-o-lanterns should be kept clear of doorsteps and landings.

n Consider the possibility of using flashlights instead of candles to light jack-o-lanterns.

n Keep dogs and other pets away from doors so children will not become frightened.

Motorists

n Exercise extreme caution when driving a vehicle. Be on the alert for excited youngsters, whose vision may be obscured by masks, darting out into traffic.

n Motorists should avoid all unnecessary travel on Halloween evening, and when driving they should drive slowly and be alert to small children crossing streets.

n Many accidents occur when motorists are backing vehicles out of driveways, unaware of the presence of small children.

Parents — Tell Trick-Or-Treaters:

n Be back home at ….XX:00 p.m. (Set a time limit for your children to “trick-or-treat.” Also designate a specific route for them to take.)

n Never trick-or-treat alone. Go with at least two friends for the entire evening.

n Carry a lightweight flashlight and use it so drivers can see you and you can see hazards in the street as well as other people.

n Cross only at street corners, never between parked cars, and never diagonally across an intersection.

n Look in all directions before crossing the street, and obey all traffic signals. Walk — never run — across the street, and use sidewalks, not the street, for walking.

n Do not accept rides from strangers.

Parks officials also remind community members that all city parks are closed at dusk.

These tips are courtesy of the Marysville Police, Marysville Fire District, Marysville Crime Prevention and Marysville Parks and Recreation. For more tips on Halloween safety and overall fire safety for kids and families, visit the National Fire Protection Association at www.nfpa.org/sparky/news.html.