Oct. 7, 2009 (United Press International) -- A U.S. pediatrician warns against making Halloween even scarier by overwhelming children with precautions, although precautions must be taken.

Dr. Luz Adriana Matiz of the NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) Children's Hospital in New York advises limiting trick-or-treating to familiar neighborhoods and neighbors.

"It's important not to create too much fear in your children when you speak to them about Halloween safety," Matiz says in a statement. "But it's also essential that they understand that precautions must be taken."

Some of the precautions Matiz recommends include:

-- Having a parent go along or, if children are older, going in groups. Children should know they can never enter a stranger's home or apartment.

-- Not eating any candy before getting home. Having a parent examine the candy. Any unwrapped foods should be thrown away.

-- Wearing costumes made of non-flammable materials that don't pose a tripping hazard and also allow for clear vision.

-- Going out at night in bright-colored costumes or wearing reflectors as well as carrying a flashlight. The children should know street-crossing safety rules.