Ann Harkins: Hi! I am Ann Harkins, President and CEO of the National Crime Prevention Council, home of McGruff the Crime Dog. We are here today to talk about those pesky Halloween tricks that are not such a treat.

Halloween is notoriously a night for pranks like toilet papering a house. But don't let your plans to have a little fun turn into a nightmare. Talk to your kids about their plans before they go out. Let your kids know that you understand them wanting to have fun on Halloween, but you expect them to make good choices. Emphasize that you just approve a vandalism. Explain to your kids that while you want them to have a good time, some tricks could hurt other people or damage property.

A little prank can become a serious problem that could get them into big trouble. Set a time limit for your kids to trick or treat, and encourage them to go out while it's still light outside. Light wards off criminals and would be pranksters. Ask if your neighborhood has rules about trick or treating or has set time limits, and be sure your kids adhere to them.

Here are a few more tips that can help you keep your kids out of trouble. Consider organizing a Halloween costume party or hayride with treats, games, contests, music, scary stories and more. Look for fun activities to do in your neighborhood too. Some malls, schools, fire stations, civic organizations arrange haunted houses and other festivities just for families. If you see suspicious or criminal activity, please report it immediately to your local police or sheriff's department.

At the National Crime Prevention Council, we want you to have a fun time, but remember that preventing crime is everyone's business. Hopefully with these tips, you can have a fun and safe Halloween.

In our next video, we will discuss how to make your home more trick-or-treaters friendly.