Creepy decorations and spooky costumes are as much a part of Halloween fun as Trick-or-Treating, but they can pose hidden dangers for kids. Dark costumes are hazardous at street crossings; restrictive outfits and poorly fitted masks make walking difficult; and illuminated, heavy or looping decorations can be unsafe, especially after dark.

"Parents may be surprised to know that Halloween is, statistically speaking, a very dangerous holiday for kids," says Krista Fabregas, founder of KidSmartLiving.com, a website dedicated to helping parents create safe, family-friendly homes. "Sadly, children are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween and the night also marks an increase in injuries from burns and falls."

But, says Fabregas, concerned parents don't need to wrap kids in day-glow safety vests and nix the fun décor to ensure a safe Halloween. She offers parents these safer, kid-friendlier decorating and costuming tips to help keep fright night from becoming a real scare.

1. Make it Easy – and Fun – To be Seen

What kid doesn't think glow-in-the-dark is cool? Parents can use this to their advantage by embellishing costumes, especially darker ones, with reflective tape. Available at most auto parts and hardware stores, reflective tape comes in several colors and is even available in sheets – perfect for cutting shapes to complement costume themes. Add a few reflective strips on cuffs, hems or headgear to make kids more visible to motorists and much safer on their Halloween route. Can't find reflective tape? Add some light-up necklaces to costumes and loop a few on wrists and ankles to make kids stand out when crossing the street.

2. Unmask Halloween with Face Paints

Opt for vision-friendly face paint or theater makeup in place of full-face masks. It's an easy sell for girls, but boys usually can be won over by a few eyeliner-crafted cuts or scars, too. Used alone or paired with a partial mask, face paints are far safer than full-face masks which can restrict vision, breathing and speaking. If little princesses or zombies insist on wearing a full mask, check that it has adequate eye openings and is breathable and well fitted.

3. Costume for Comfort and Safety

Dress kids in temperature-appropriate costumes that allow free range of vision and motion. Try to avoid costumes with ground-dragging capes, trains or sleeves to help prevent accidental falls and burns. Remember that kids' packaged costumes are often made of flame-retardant materials, but homemade costumes generally aren't. Caution kids to stay clear of any lighted decorations on their route to avoid brushing against an open flame.

4. Decorate with the Littlest Ghouls in Mind

Make Halloween yard and doorway decorations safe and inviting to all. Secure electrical cords and strings out of reach and keep walkways clear and accessible. If creating a particularly spooky haunted yard, consider including a less scary approach for younger trick-or-treaters – unless, of course, you want leftover candy.

5. Create Kid-Friendly Ghostly Glows

From multicolored LED lights to realistic wax candles, battery-powered lighting makes it easy to create ghostly Halloween glows without an open flame. Battery-operated tea lights work well for illuminating small Halloween accents and battery-powered wax candles and tapers add a realistic flicker to any spooky setting. Use them to light up Jack o'Lanterns safely too, or try a few glow sticks or color-changing lights for a spooky gleam.

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Krista Fabregas founded KidSmartLiving.com in 1999 to help parents combine safety, livability and style in a home that's welcoming to family members of all ages. Find more KidSmart home decorating tips, family-friendly products and how-to videos at KidSmartLiving.com and on the KidSmartLiving @ Home Blog