Halloween falls on a Friday this year, which may increase the excitement - and vulnerability - of some young trick-or-treaters. Adults, too, may need extra warning, as irresponsible celebrating can quickly spoil a fun evening.

A safe option for parents is to take their children to the Merchants Trick-or-Treat, which will be held in downtown Lebanon from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. After the downtown trick-or-treat, head down to the Lebanon Plaza between 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. for more fun. In conjunction with the event, Lebanon Fire Community Assistance and Initial Relief Service (LFCAIRS) will have 2,000 glow sticks to hand out at both locations.

Another option is a trick-or-treat petting zoo for younger children at the Future Farmers of America Land Lab off of Rock Hill Drive.

However you choose to spend your Halloween, law enforcement agencies have issued the following tips to parents to keep children safe on Halloween:

€ Trick-or-treat in your neighborhood.

€ Make sure older kids go in a group of friends.

€ Younger children must always be accompanied by an adult.

€ Set a time limit for children to trick-or-treat.

€ Remind kids not to enter a strange house or car.

€ Wear white or reflective clothing.

€ Make sure the candy your child brings home is safe.

As for adults, local law enforcement officers will be on the lookout out for "scary" drivers as part of the aggressive "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest," national campaign over the weekend.

"Halloween should involve safe family fun," said Captain Gerry Gregg, director of the Oregon State Police Patrol Services Division. "Unfortunately, Halloween can also be a dangerous and deadly night of the year leading to real-life nightmares due to impaired driving."

ODOT Fatality Analysis Reporting System data reveals that all eight fatalities that have occurred on Halloween night (6 p.m. Oct. 31 to 5:59 a.m. on Nov. 1) between 1998 and 2007 in Oregon occurred in alcohol-involved traffic crashes.