The city of Clanton will observe Trick or Treat on Halloween, Monday, Oct. 31, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Clanton Police encourage kids and parents to trick or treat between those hours.

The Clanton Police also provided the following safety tips to keep little monsters and ghouls safe on Halloween.

•In most cities it’s not safe to let kids walk the streets by themselves. Your best bet is to make sure that an adult is going with them. If you can’t take them yourself, see if another parent or two can.

•Know the route your kids will be taking if you aren’t going with them. Let them know that they are to check in with you every hour, by phone or by stopping back at home. Make sure that they know not to deviate from the planned route so that you always know where they will be.

•Help your young child pick out or make a costume that will be safe. Make sure it’s fire proof or treated with fire retardant. If they are wearing a mask of any kind, make sure that the eyeholes are large enough for good peripheral vision.

•Know what other activities a child may be attending, such as parties, school or mall functions. If they are going to be at a friend’s home, get the phone number and make sure you’ve met the parents.

•Make sure you set a time your kids should be home by. Make sure they know how important it is for them to be home on time or to call immediately if something happens and they are going to be delayed.

•Explain to kids of all ages the difference between tricks and vandalism.

Throwing eggs at a house may seem funny but they need to know the other side of the coin as well, that clean up and damages can ruin Halloween for everyone. If they are caught vandalizing, make them clean up the mess they’ve made.

•Serve your kids a filling meal before trick or treating and they won’t be as tempted to eat any candy before they bring it home for you to check. Check your local grocery store or craft store for Halloween cookbooks full of tasty treats on a horror theme for both kids and adults.

•Make sure that if your child is carrying a prop, such as a scythe, butcher knife or a pitchfork, that the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen on. Make sure that costumes won’t get in the way when they are walking, which could cause them to trip.

•Teach your kids about not getting into strangers cars or talking to strangers, no matter what the person says to them. Explain to them as simply as you can that some adults are bad and want to hurt children, that they should never go into a house that they don’t know, get into a car or go anywhere with a stranger. Also, tell them what to do should this happen, to scream as loud as they can to draw attention and to run away as fast as they can to someplace safe.

•Be sure to show your children know how to cross a street properly. They should always look both ways before crossing the street and should only cross at corners or crosswalks. Make sure that if you have more than one child, they know to take the hand of the younger child when they cross a street.

Anyone with questions about these tips or any other concerns should contact Clanton Police at 755-1194 or email CPD@clantonPD.org.