Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox is encouraging all parents to use the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry before taking their children trick-or-treating.

"For many parents, Halloween represents a time when our children fan out into neighborhoods that may not be familiar," said Cox. "Doing a timely check of the sex offender registry can help parents be informed about potential risks in the community and take appropriate measures to safeguard their children."

The registry also offers e-mail notification. The e-mail notification process allows users to sign up to six different zip codes and recieve automatic e-mail notice when a sex offender moves into any of those zip codes.

Here are other tips to keep children safe this Halloween.

Children should:

Go only to well-lit houses and remain on porches rather than entering houses.

Travel in small groups and be accompanied by an adult.

Know their phone number and carry coins for emergency telephone calls.

Have their names and addresses attached to their costumes.

Bring treats home before eating them so parents can inspect them.

Use costume knives and swords that are flexible, not rigid or sharp.

Wear costumes that are made of flame-resistant material, such as nylon or polyester.

Wear masks, hats and scarves that don't obstruct vision or ventilation.

When walking in neighborhoods, they should:

Use flashlights, stay on sidewalks, and avoid crossing yards.

Cross streets at the corner, use crosswalks (where they exist), and do not cross between parked cars.

Stop at all corners and stay together in a group before crossing.

Wear clothing that is bright, reflective, and flame retardant.

Consider using face paint instead of masks. (Masks can obstruct a child's vision.)

Avoid wearing hats that will slide over their eyes.

Avoid wearing long, baggy, or loose costumes or oversized shoes (to prevent tripping).

Be reminded to look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.

Parents and adults should:

Supervise the outing for children under age 12.

Establish a curfew (a return time) for older children.

Prepare homes for trick-or-treaters by clearing porches, lawns, and sidewalks and by placing jack-o'-lanterns away from doorways and landings.

Make sure children under age 10 are supervised as they cross the street.

Drive slowly.

Watch for children in the street and on medians.

Exit driveways and alleyways carefully.

Have children get out of cars on the curb side, not on the traffic side.

Have any decoration lights checked for safety, and don't overload extension cords.

Pumpkin Safety Tips

Carve pumpkins on stable, flat surfaces with good lighting.

Have children draw a face on the outside of the pumpkin, then parents should do the cutting.

Place lighted pumpkins away from young children, curtains and other flammable objects, and do not leave lighted pumpkins unattended.

Keep candles and jack-o'-lanterns away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame.

For more information on Halloween safety tips click here.

Communities vary for trick or treating hours. Check yours before your family hits the streets.