For most people Halloween is a time for dressing up in costumes, watching scary movies, going to parties, taking children trick-or-treating and other fun activities.

And though Halloween is a time of festivity, that doesn’t mean you should let down your sense of safety. Quite the opposite, actually. Heighten your senses, and not just against the urban legends of razor blades in treats or poisoned candy. (Although go ahead and check for those, too, as multiple razor blades were found in candy last Halloween in Eugene, per a story at abcnews.go.com.)

According to SafeKids.org, on average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. So be careful of vehicles when taking children door-to-door as they ask for candy. And if you are driving, be careful of children as they scurry from house-to-house threatening homeowners with tricks if they don’t get treats.

SafeKids.org suggests the following when children are out running amok in search of candy:

• Carry glow sticks or flashlights, use reflective tape or stickers on costumes and bags, and wear light colors to help children see and be seen by drivers.

• Join children under age 12 for trick-or-treating.

• Slow down and be alert. Children are excited on Halloween and may dart into the street. Turn on headlights early in the day to spot children from farther away.

• Remind children to cross the street at corners or crosswalks and use traffic signals.

With walking children, SafeKids.org also suggests they look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as they cross. And if they have electronic devices, they need to put them down, keep heads up and to walk — not run — across the street.

They should also make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them. Have them always walk on sidewalks or paths, and if there aren’t any, walk facing traffic as far left as possible. Children should also walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings. They should also watch for cars that are turning or backing up, and they should never dart out into streets or cross the street between parked cars.

If children are mature enough to be out without supervision, tell them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups, according to SafeKids.org.

When selecting costumes for children, SafeKids.org suggests that parents choose face paint whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision. Also, make sure costumes are the correct sizes to prevent trips and falls.

If you are out driving on Halloween, either taking children trick-or-treating or going out for a night of fun, there are safety tips from SafeKids.org for you as well.

• Slow down and be alert in residential neighborhoods.

• Take extra time to look for children at intersections, on medians and on curbs.

• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.

• Get rid of any distractions — such as your phone — in your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.

• Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30-9:30 p.m. Be especially alert during those hours.

And, of course, don’t drink and drive. If you are going to drink or have been drinking, get a designated driver or call a taxi. Do what you have to do to get home safely that doesn’t include driving.

By following these tips, everyone should have a happy and safe Halloween.