Halloween is Thursday, October 31, and the City of Arlington encourages everyone to be safe out there. The Arlington Police Department offers the following safety reminders for trick-or-treaters and motorists:

• As a safer alternative to trick-or-treating, consider attending a carnival or haunted house.
• If trick-or-treating, travel in groups and carry flashlights.
• Children should always be accompanied by an adult.
• When walking on neighborhood streets, face the traffic.
• Carefully plan trick-or-treat routes to avoid repeatedly crossing the street.
• Stop only at familiar homes where the outside lights are on.
• Never allow a child to enter an automobile or residence.
• Check all treats in a well-lit area before allowing children to eat them. Immediately discard suspicious candy or items.
• Select bright costumes or decorate with reflective tape for increased night visibility.
• Purchase costumes, masks, beards and wigs labeled "flame resistant."
• To prevent trips and falls, keep costumes short and avoid ill-fitting shoes.
• Try make-up instead of a mask. If a mask is worn, be sure eye holes are large enough for full vision.

Motorists are reminded to be extra cautious of pedestrians on Halloween.

• Use headlights before nightfall to increase your vehicle"s visibility.
• Do not exceed 10 or 15 miles per hour when driving through residential areas.
• Keep your thumbs on the wheel. Do not text and drive.

Halloween can also be a traumatic time for pets. The Arlington Animal Services Division and ASPCA offer these reminders:

• Do not leave pets in the yard on Halloween.
• Be sure your dog or cat is unable to exit the home when a door is opened for trick-or-treaters.
• Consider keeping pets in a separate room during trick-or-treat hours
• Trick-or-treat candies are not for pets. Chocolate can be poisonous.
• Be extra careful around lit pumpkins. Pets could knock one over and cause a fire.

For more information about Halloween safety for pets, go to www.aspca.org or call the City of Arlington Animal Services Center at 817-451-3436.

If you are looking for a fun, safe event to visit this Halloween season, try the Have a Spooky Safe Night event at the Arlington Public Library Northeast Branch, 1905 Brown Blvd. Officer Guadarrama, from Nichols Jr. High, will provide some safety tips for teens to ensure a fun and safe Halloween.