As children ring doorbells and go door-to-door, make sure their safety is the first priority over collecting the maximum amount of candy while trick-or-treating.

“Especially with all of the holidays coming up be aware of your surroundings and be cautious at all times,” Sgt. Natasha Fowlkes with the Selma Police Department. “Holidays are known for being a big time for robberies and theft so I would just say be cautious and alert.”

She also mentioned the importance of checking all candy that comes home from trick-or-treating and all homemade treats that are given out.

“be on the lookout for any homemade treats and be aware of candy that is unwrapped and not tightly sealed,” Fowlkes said.

The Center for Disease Control released the top safety tips for Halloween and they recommended throwing away any candy that looks as though it has been tampered with.

Fowlkes said in her years at the Selma Police Department, she has never seen any bad things happen surrounding Halloween and trick-or-treating but that does not mean that nothing ever will happen.

Fire Captain James Murphy with the Selma Fire Department suggested that children and parents practice very safe street crossing and road safety. Look both ways before crossing the street and never run from house-to-house, just walk. Always walk on sidewalks whenever possible but if on the road stay on the farthest side possible, not walking in the middle of the street. It is safest to walk facing towards oncoming traffic.

“Always give your children a flashlight and make sure they can be seen by cars,” Murphy said. “Travel in big groups with an adult, always.”

Fowlkes said, “The more people in the group, the better.”

Murphy said the fire department urges families to put battery-powered lights in Jack-O-Lanterns and not real candles for fire safety.

Only enter a home if you are with a trusted adult and never go up to homes of strangers or homes that are not well lit. Parents should explain to children the dangers of accepting rides from strangers that could be driving by on Halloween.