Costumes in car seats can put children at risk

Much like a winter coat, a bulky or puffy costume might cause your child’s car seat harness to fit incorrectly, which means it might not offer optimal protection in a crash.

"We don’t want to wear puffy costumes underneath our car seat harness, because doing that can add additional room to the harness in the event of a crash, and that additional room in the harness will now make it so there is more room for the child to move during the crash and potentially move outside the protection of their car seat," said Consumer Reports Car Seat Expert Emily Thomas.

The best advice from Consumer Reports is to have your little ghoul or goblin change into their costume after they arrive safely at their destination.

Another safety suggestion for trick-or-treating: Make sure your children can see and be seen!

Did you know children are more than twice as likely to be hit and killed by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year?

That's why it's best to make sure masks don't block vision and that costumes and bags are lined with reflective tape. Glow sticks can also add a spooky element and make children more visible.

Trick-or-treaters should always stay on sidewalks instead of walking in the street or cutting across lawns, where decorations can cause tripping hazards.