As children don costumes and homeowners prep for trick-or-treaters in Denver and Aurora, the city of Aurora and several local police departments are sharing tips for staying safe this evening.

The National Safety Council encourages adults to accompany young children while trick-or-treating and help older children plan their routes and agree on a specific time they should return home.

They also encouraged parents to remind their children never to enter strangers’ homes or vehicles and to avoid eating treats until they get home.

The Aurora Police Department posted several tips for anyone planning on “partaking in ghoulish fun.”

While APD will not have extra patrol tonight, they will be on high alert for impaired and distracted drivers due to the holiday, according to APD spokesperson Sydney Edwards.

Edwards said her top three safety tips for trick-or-treaters tonight are to stay on sidewalks and in well-lit areas, have a buddy system and, for younger children, stay with adults, and always have adults check candy before children eat it.

The police department’s other safety tips are as follows:

1. Make sure costumes do not drag and shoes fit well to prevent trips or falls.
2. Carry a flashlight if you’re out at night.
3. Masks can obstruct children’s view so try non-toxic face makeup instead.
4. Look for “flame resistant” on costume labels to prevent fire accidents.
5. Make sure children are not approaching unknown animals, like dogs, without permission. 
6. Avoid any sharp or long swords, canes or sticks as a costume accessory to help prevent injury. 

The National Safety Council offered additional safety tips for anyone planning to be on the road during trick-or-treat hours, asking drivers to be on high alert for children on roadways and curbs, enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully and watch for children in dark clothing.

According to the National Safety Council, children are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year — largely due to lack of visibility.

People should also take steps toward fire prevention, the National Safety Council said. These include using glow sticks or battery-operated candles for jack-o’-lanterns, avoiding long-trailing fabric on costumes, keeping decorations away from open flames and other heat sources and remembering to keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes.

Denver Police Department also shared a list of safety tips for “the young and the young at heart.”

For adults, their tips are as follows.

1. Do not overindulge or leave food or drinks unattended at parties.
2. Designate a sober driver if you are planning to consume adult good or beverages.
3. Stick to well-lit, well-traveled areas and only carry the necessities.
4. Celebrate and stay with your group, using sidewalks or crosswalks.

For kids, their tips are as follows.

1. Discard any open, homemade or suspicious-looking treats that are discolored or have tears or pin holes.
2. Opt for face paint over masks.
3. Wear lighter-colored costumes and carry a light to help see and be seen in the dark.
4. Trick-or-treat in a group, using sidewalks and crosswalks.
5. Use a glow stick in pumpkins instead of a candle.

The National Weather Service in Boulder calls for moderately cool temps with highs in the upper 40s in the Denver area Tuesday night.

Expect sunny skies on Halloween Day and a high of 47 degrees. A calm wind from the southeast is forecast to sit at 5 mph throughout Tuesday afternoon.

“Today’s forecast isn’t particularly spooky, but the temperatures might bring a little chill to your bones,” NWS said in its forecast.