This Wednesday, Oct. 31, boils and ghouls of all ages will be out and about Lunenburg enjoying a variety of frightening festivities, from spooky soirées to tricks and treats.

    But while spooky, scary and even silly may describe everyone’s holiday antics, the word everyone should focus on is safety.

    This year, Lunenburg trick-or-treat hours are 6 to 8 p.m.

    Courtesy of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, below is a Safety Rule Guideline that parents and children should follow when they are out trick-or-treating this year.

    * Be sure older children go out with friends and that younger children are accompanied by a trusted adult when Trick-or-Treating;
    * Accompany younger children to the door of every home they approach and make sure parents and guardians are familiar with every home and all people from which the children receive treats;
    * Teach children to never enter a home without prior permission from their parents or guardians;
    * Teach children to never approach a vehicle, occupied or not, unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian;
    * Make sure all children wear reflective clothing and carry a glow stick when out at dusk and at night;
    * Make sure children are able to see and breathe properly and easily when using facial masks;
    * All costumes and masks should be clearly marked as flame resistant;
    * Teach children to never approach a home that is not well-lit both inside and outside;
    * Teach children to stay alert for any suspicious incidents and report them to their parents, guardians, and/or the proper authority;
    * Teach children if anyone tries to grab them to make a scene, loudly yelling and making every effort to get away by kicking, screaming, and resisting.
    * Always make sure to check treats - make sure wrappers aren’t opened, that there’s nothing suspicious about them - before letting your children dig into their treats.
    * Motorists, use caution when out on the roads Halloween evening. Be ready for a lot of foot traffic as well as bikers and other cars throughout the evening.

    Anyone interested in finding out more safety information can pick up their own copy of the Safety Guidelines from the Lunenburg Police Department or visit missingkids.com.