This afternoon and tonight ghosts, witches and monsters of all shapes and sizes will be wandering our local neighbourhoods.
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Don't panic, it is just Halloween.
Many of our communities now get in the spirit of the festival and you'll find many areas of the Illawarra get dressed up, decorate their houses and go trick-or-treating.
It's not everyone's cup of tea, but the solution if you don't want to take part is don't.
Trick-or-treaters are encouraged to only knock on doors of houses that are decorated or have some signage out to show they are taking part.
Follow that philosophy if you are trick-or-treating and you will go a long way to having an enjoyable night.
There are a couple of other tips you can follow to ensure a happy Halloween.
Plan your route in advance and ensure you are picking a route you know well.
Stay together and make sure you know everyone's whereabouts if you are walking as a group.
Make sure you are doing it when it is still nice and light outside.
Stick to routes with sidewalks where possible and take care when crossing roads. Only cross roads or intersections in highly visible areas.
Put down your phones and electronic devices and stay alert to traffic at all times.
Kids should not wear masks that obstruct their vision when walking the streets. If you must take it off and put it on again before you approach the door.
Never enter a stranger's home. Politely refuse if you are offered to go inside a house you are not familiar with.
Young children should be accompanied by a responsible adult when trick-or-treating.
Parents ask your children to wait until they are home before they consume any of the goodies, that way you can have a check of it to make sure it is safe to be consumed.
Most of all, don't be greedy.
Take one treat per house and move on to the next one.
Halloween can be a great way to show neighbourly and community spirit so be safe, but get out and enjoy it.