SEDGEMOOR District Counci have teamed up with the Together Team in East Bridgwater to offer safety advice and tips to young people and parents this hallowe'en. 

Their key safety tips for young people and parents this hallowe'en are:

Always take a mobile phone with you or make sure someone in your group has one – make sure it is charged with credit/minutes left.

Always stay with your group and in case you accidently get separated pre-agree a meeting place.

It is best to only go to houses you know and are happy for you to call at – never go into a strangers home.

Don’t knock on doors displaying a no trick-or-treat poster Go to places that are well let – don’t take short cuts through alleys, ill-lit open spaces or car parks.

Watch out for traffic and always walk on pavements– you may be hard to spot in a long, dark costume.

Reflective tape can be added to costumes to make them more visible.

Be extra careful near any naked flames/candles, especially those at floor level in pumpkins.

Kristy Blackwell, Coordinator of Together Team said:“We are urging parents to discuss trick or treating with older children and teenagers who may be going out for the first time without an adult with them.

"Whilst trick-or-treating is good fun for children and families it can be very distressing for some residents having strangers knocking on the door – especially at night.

"That’s why we are asking people not to call at homes displaying no trick-or-treat posters.  Residents who do not want to be bothered by trick-or-treaters can place a specially made poster in their window or on their front door."

A spokesman for Sedgemoor District Council said: “One of the concerns we know parents have at this time of year is hallowe'en costume safety.

"We would encourage all parents to check their children’s costume has the ‘CE’ mark and to be vigilant around naked flames , particularly those at floor level in pumpkins.  

"We also recommend residents display a no trick-or-treat poster if they have any concerns about trick-or-treaters knocking on their days.

"In an emergency call 999 or if a crime has been committed but the situation is not an emergency please call Avon and Somerset Police on 101."

You can also call the council’s 24/7 free Anti-Social Behaviour Hotline on 0800 298 2009 as well as following all of the partner’s activities on Twitter by using #somersetafterdark.

The Somerset After Dark campaign also includes advice in the run-up to Bonfire Night and the Carnival Season.