After multiple trips to the costume shop and hours of applying makeup, don't let your child's Halloween night be ruined by a fall, bad candy or any other haunted holiday hazard.

The trick to making Halloween safe for your child is treating it like any trip: Plan a route, dress appropriately, supply everything you might need and inspect all souvenirs.

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Here are some simple ways to keep your child's Halloween night safe and fun.

Perfect Fit

Without a great costume, Halloween is just any other night of the year. Your child can wear something spooky or stylish and still ward off a cold night and other pitfalls.

It's no fun to eat your candy with a runny nose, so keep your Draco Malfoy protected from the chilly Halloween weather. Wearing layers of clothing under a loose costume provides warmth without taking away from an eerie effect.

"Look for flame-resistant fabrics, such as 100 percent nylon or polyester," says Nychelle Fleming, Consumer Product Safety Commission spokeswoman. "It doesn't mean flame proof. So avoid open flames."

Make sure that Dora the Explorer costume fits your daughter just so. The National Safety Council says that falls are the leading cause of Halloween injuries. A costume that is too long can cause your child to trip or get entangled. If your child just has to be a vampire with a black cape, he still has to be visible to other trick-or-treaters and passing cars.

"Add reflective tape to the front, back and candy bag," Fleming says. "Give your child a flashlight or glow stick to carry."

Being seen is important, but little goblins also need to see. Masks are great, but not if they make it hard for your child to see where she's going. Find a mask with large mouth and eye openings, or use face paint instead.

Spooky Supervision

While your child may believe that she is old enough to trick-or-treat without you, the NSC recommends that you or another adult go with kids under the age of 12. For Tiffany Dopplehammer, mother of 11-year-old Kemma, that's a no-brainer.

"Under no circumstances do I let her out roaming the streets after dark on a normal day," she said. "I will definitely not let her out alone on Halloween, when it's way too easy for someone to approach her under the guise of a costume."

Just stick to the sidewalk when your child walks up to the house and she may soon forget you're even there.

For older children who don't need you to hold their hands, make sure they go in a group to a familiar neighborhood, can contact you at any time and have a set return time. Equip them with a flashlight so they can always see where they're going.

No Running

Once you've established the Halloween route, make sure your child knows how to conduct himself.

"We just stay in our neighborhood where we know everyone and they know us. My big rule is that he can't go into anyone's house," says Mike Thomas, father of 4-year-old Owen.

Keeping your child out of a neighbor's home is the safest bet for both your child and neighbor, who may not want your Blue's Clues look-alike running around.

As for running, that's definitely a no-no on Halloween, even if your child wants to get to the candy before anyone else. Tell her to walk from house to house, using the sidewalk instead of taking a shortcut across someone's dark -- and potentially dangerous -- lawn.

If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic.

Close Eye On Candy

To avoid any unsavory treats or sick tummies, don't let your child eat any goodies until you get home and inspect the loot. If something has been opened or even has a small hole, throw it away. With so much candy to pick from, it's not worth risking your child's health on one piece.

"My rule for candy is I look at it and then I get to keep the stuff I like," jokes Thomas. "Actually, I'll let my son have a few pieces of candy that night and save the rest for the remainder of the week."

Experts suggest giving your child a small meal before heading out in search of chocolate treats. This will help them resist pigging out as they travel.

Fleming also reminds parents to avoid small, hard candies and even novelty items and toys that some neighbors hand out instead of candy. Small parts can be a choking hazard, particularly for children under 3.

It may seem like there are too many rules to make Halloween a fun and memorable night. But when your candy-obsessed child slips on a new outfit and walks through the dark, it's important to keep him protected and aware at all times.

Save the scary stuff for the costumes and ghost stories.

More Tips:

Ease Halloween Jitters

October Tips From Red Cross

Safety Council Tips

CPSC.gov