Halloween is a yearly event that many area children enjoy. But there are a lot of things you need to know when it comes to keeping your little ghosts and goblins safe. Police say it's important to start thinking about Halloween safety now.

Parents should be going over checklists by themselves and with their kids, to make sure trick-or-treating goes smoothly for everyone.

Police say some of the mistakes parents make are buying their kids costumes that are too baggy, and could cause kids to trip. It's important to hem that costume now.

Officers advise that parents get reflective tape on dark costumes, and get glow sticks or flashlights for their kids so they're easy for everyone to see.

"Make sure you know the route that the kids are going to be taking for the day," said South Bend Crime Prevention Cpl. Aaron Cassel. "Plan a route so if something happens you know where to go looking for them; and try to stick to that route."

Cassel says parents should try to only send their kids out when it's light outside.

The times for trick-or-treating in South Bend will be just as it's starting to get dark, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on October 31. The hours and days of trick-or-treating vary depending on where you live.

• Click here to find trick-or-treating times where you live.
  

If you want to welcome trick-or-treaters at your door, you're asked to leave your porch lights on.

Police are also sending a warning to Halloween pranksters this year. They they say something one person thinks might be a joke could end up going much further. Police also say they won't tolerate anything that puts other people in danger — whether it was meant to be a joke or not.