The Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper wishes you and your family a hauntingly happy Halloween, and we encourage children of all ages to be careful when taking to the trick-or-treat trail. Because most injuries happen to youngsters while they’re walking from house to house on Halloween, here’s a play-it-safe game plan to share with your own ghosts and goblins before they head out into the night:

1. Carry a flashlight and place reflective tape on costumes or trick-or- treat bags to be more visible to motorists.
2. Carry a mobile phone and know how to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.
3. Travel in groups and communicate to one another where you’ll be going.
4. Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk. When there’s no sidewalk, walk at the far edge of the roadway, facing traffic.
5. Never cut across yards or use alleys.
6. Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks. Never cross between parked cars or at exit driveways.