Take extra care to make this a happy Halloween

Most McCook residents will be more concerned about the Bison-Columbus football playoff game Friday night, but the streets will probably be teeming with trick-or-treaters earlier in the afternoon.

Attorney General Jon Bruning warns parents that there are 2,850 sex offenders in the state, a few of them in McCook and others in area towns.

It's never a good idea to let your young child venture into the night unaccompanied by an adult, and Bruning urges parents to check out their neighbors online as well.

You can find out specifics at http://www.nsp.state.ne.us/sor/

Type in your zip code or other information to sort out offenders that might be of concern.

Children's Hospital in Omaha offers a number of safety tips for parents and kids to keep in mind:

* Carry a flashlight or glow sticks

* Use a reflective bag

* Add reflective tape to the costume to increase visibility to drivers

* Wear comfortable shoes that fit

* Use face paint or makeup instead of a mask that could reduce a child's vision

* Make sure costume props are made of flexible plastic or rubber; hard materials could cause injury in the event of a fall.

* Cross the street at a crosswalk or corner and follow traffic signals

* Make eye contact with drivers before crossing

* Walk, not run, across the street

For drivers:

* Be especially alert in neighborhoods; children are excited and may move in unpredictable ways

* Drive more slowly and anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic

* Drive with your full headlights on so you can see children from a greater distance

* Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and with caution

* Reduce distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road

For adult revelers who may be drinking, of course, it's especially important to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol.

With a little extra care and preparation, there's no reason this can't be a happy Halloween -- and a big victory over Columbus would be great, too.