For parents of young ones, Halloween is scarier than it has ever been. And that’s not an endorsement for the spookiest of our holidays as much as it’s a warning.

Years ago, the first option for ghosts and goblins on Halloween was to scour the neighborhood in which they live in search of their favorite candy from friendly faces, but the children knocking on the door are getting taller and no longer are they always from down the block.

More and more parents are opting for controlled events, where little is left to chance. There are plenty of such options in Robeson County, so if you are so inclined, look around and you can find them. Some are highlighted in a short story today in our Features section.

It’s a sad indictment of today’s society that there are folks lurking in the shadows eager for the opportunity to cause harm. There was the time that a firecracker could turn Halloween into Fright Night, but now such shenanigans would be considered tame.

So perhaps some safety tips, provided courtesy of our Sheriff’s Office, are appropriate before the children go out haunting tonight.

— Trick-or-treaters should carry a flashlight and only stop at well-lit houses or apartments. They should never enter a stranger’s home.

— Children should not eat any treats before an adult has carefully examined them for evidence of tampering.

— Trick-or-treaters should use sidewalks. If there is no sidewalk, trick-or-treaters should walk on the left side of the road facing traffic.

— Motorists should watch for children coming from between parked cars and children in dark clothing, and be extra cautious when entering or exiting driveways or alleys.

— Trick-or-treaters shouldn’t wear masks that limit their vision. They should carry light-colored or reflective candy bags.

— If a homeowner is expecting trick-or-treaters, remove all obstacles from lawns, steps, or porches that could cause a trick-or-treater to fall. Keep candles and Jack O’ Lanterns away from areas where costumes could brush against the flames.

— Pin a slip of paper with emergency contact information inside of a trick-or-treater’s pocket in case the child is separated from a group.

A little scary in Halloween is part of the fun. But danger shouldn’t be, so take all the simple steps to make sure your children are safe.