Monday will see many homes encounter hundreds of trick or treaters on this Halloween night and it doesn't hurt to be prepared for what could be lurking in the shadows of the night... ghouls or not.

The Okotoks RCMP will be out on patrol making sure those in pursuit of a worthy candy haul do it safely.

Sgt. Sukh Randhawa says kids should shouldn't veer off the beaten path when walking from home to home.

"Don't take any short cuts or back alleys, stay on the main road for the most part," he says. "Be conscious of the fact of what's around you if they don't feel comfortable going into a house and not knocking on a door then just don't go and skip that house and go somewhere else."

Randhawa says trick or treaters need to be seen so drivers aren't noticing them until it's too late.

"Make sure that they are with an adult, also wear reflective clothing. Don't wear any masks but they can still paint their face that sort of things. Know where which area they're going to be in."

A rule of thumb when out on Halloween is to stay away from houses that aren't well lit as they may not be participating in handing out candy or residents may not even be home says Randhawa.

"If the children are out there with adults and they see or come upon a house where there are no lights then don't approach that house. Move on to where it's more lit, stay off the main street and be on the sidewalks but be in the lit areas and know where you are going."