Ann Harkins: Hi! I am Ann Harkins, President and CEO of the National Crime Prevention Council, home of McGruff the Crime Dog. Today, I want to talk about Halloween and how to choose the right costume so your kids have a safe and fun time on Halloween night.

Halloween is a fun holiday for kids, but it can also be a little scary for parents who were worried about their children's safety. I have a few quick and simple tips that can help you keep them safe. Parents should check that costumes are flame retardant, so kids are not in danger around candle lit pumpkins and other fire hazards.

Keep costumes short to prevent trips and falls. Be aware of other bumps in the night that can be used by letting children bicycle, roller blade or skateboard in their costumes. Encourage kids to wear comfortable shoes with their costumes. Consider using makeup instead of masks. A mask can obstruct your child's vision plus they tend to be hot and uncomfortable after a while.

Be aware that some Halloween costumes bring out aggressive behavior. Even fake knives, swords and guns can accidentally hurt people. Discourage your child from hitting or using those objects as weapons. If these objects are part of your child's costume, consider making them out of cardboard or other flexible materials.

Challenge your kids to create costumes that don't need weapons or blood and gore to be scary and fun. And one last thing, remember to use reflective tape or have your kids wear light colored costumes, so they are easily visible when crossing streets. Following these few simple safety tips, can help you have a Halloween good time for all.

In our next clip, we will discuss how to avoid Halloween pranks and tricks.