Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31 this year, which means a long, busy evening for many families and plenty of trick-or-treaters on the streets. A little prep this week can make the night feel a lot calmer, whether you’re walking the neighborhood with kids or handing out candy from the porch.

Here are nine practical hacks to make the evening easier, brighter and better organized.

1. Map the route before the big night

Pick your route ahead of time and walk or drive it once in daylight. Note where the sidewalks are, where the busy roads are, and which streets usually have lots of decorated houses. Agree on a turnaround time so nobody is negotiating “just one more street” at 8:45 p.m.

2. Use the buddy system

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Halloween tips recommend setting up a buddy system before festivities begin so nobody walks home alone. For older kids going out with friends, set a check-in time and make sure at least one phone in the group is fully charged.

3. Make every costume easy to see

Dark costumes are hard to spot at dusk. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Halloween guidance suggests trimming costumes and outerwear with reflective tape and carrying a flashlight or glow stick. A roll of reflective tape is inexpensive, and a few strips on treat bags and jacket sleeves take just minutes.

4. Do a costume dress rehearsal

Have everyone wear their full costume, shoes included, around the house a few days early. You’ll find out quickly if a hem is too long, a mask makes it hard to see, or a prop is annoying to carry. CPSC suggests well-fitting costumes to avoid trips and notes that makeup can be a good alternative to a mask that limits visibility.

5. Layer underneath

Late-October evenings can turn chilly fast. Plan the costume around a warm base layer, like leggings and a long-sleeve shirt, so no one has to zip a coat over the whole look. Pack a light pair of gloves in a pocket just in case.

6. Pick the right candy bag

A pillowcase holds a lot, but it gets heavy and drags. A small tote or plastic pumpkin is easier for little hands. For a smarter setup, give each kid a bag with a handle and keep a larger “backup” bag with you so you can unload a full bucket halfway through the route.

7. Prep the porch for guests

If you’re handing out treats, clear the walkway, steps and porch of anything people could trip over, a tip that also appears in CPSC’s guidance. Swap real candles in jack-o’-lanterns for battery-operated lights or glow sticks, and turn the porch light on so visitors know you’re participating. Put candy in a large bowl by the door with a chair nearby so you aren’t jumping up every two minutes.

8. Offer a non-candy option

Many households keep a second bowl of small non-food treats, like stickers, pencils or glow bracelets, for kids who have food allergies or prefer to skip candy. It’s an easy, low-cost way to make sure every trick-or-treater who knocks leaves with something.

9. Sort the haul with a plan

When you get home, dump everything onto a clean table and sort it together. Check that wrappers are sealed, set aside anything homemade or unwrapped, and put allergy-unsafe items in a separate pile. Then decide on a simple rule for how many pieces a day are allowed, and put the rest in a container out of sight. A clear rule the first night saves a week of daily debates.

For drivers: slow down

If you’re driving that evening, NHTSA advises slowing down, scanning the road and watching for young trick-or-treaters in unexpected places, since children may dart into the street. If you’ll be at a party, plan a sober ride home before the night starts.

Wrap-up

Most Halloween stress comes from the same few spots: a costume that doesn’t work, a route nobody planned and a pile of candy with no rules. Sort those out this week and you’ll get to enjoy the fun part of the night, from the first doorbell to the last jack-o’-lantern going dark.

Image: Jack-O-Lanterns by Alabama Extension via Flickr, CC0 1.0