DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A candy ban has altered this year’s Halloween parade in Dubuque. Police and parade organizers decided to bar participants from tossing candy into the crowd or handing it out to people along the route Monday. Why the change? Safety. Parade organizer Abigail Degenhardt told the Dubuque Telegraph Herald that organizers wanted to prevent children from dashing into the street or pushing each other for the sweet — sometimes sour — treats.

Fifteen-year-old Erica Shireman is not happy about the organizers’ decision, saying “a big part of the reason I liked the parade was getting candy at the end.” Jessica Donath has attended the parade for three decades and understands why the change was made. She finds it disappointing but also says, “Everyone is going to be safe now.”

Halloween Trick or Treaters will be out and about in Atlantic, this evening. Activities begin with Downtown Trick or Treating, and at the Allen Place, from 3-until 5-p.m. The Annual Atlantic News Telegraph costume contest in the Atlantic City Park. Registration is at 3:45, with the winner announced at 4:30.  City-wide Trick or Treating runs from 5:30-until 7:30-p.m.

Be cautious if you’re driving this evening, especially after sunset, from 6:15-to 7:30-p.m.  Some safety tips:

• Plan your route in advance. Stick to paths that you and your child are familiar with to avoid getting lost.
• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
• Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
• Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
• Wear comfortable shoes. Girls in dresses should avoid heels, and all shoelaces should be double-tied to avoid tripping in the dark.
• Stay well-lit (Visible). Apply reflective tape to your child’s costume to ensure they are seen by drivers on the road. Also, carry a flashlight with you to keep your child’s path lit at all times.
• Make sure all costumes are short. Long costumes that drag on the ground can be dangerous, especially at night.
• Avoid masks. Masks can make it difficult for your child to see or breathe. If possible, skip the mask altogether and use non-toxic make-up to complete the costume instead.
• Use flexible props. Try to avoid costumes that have weapons as accessories. But if your child’s costume won’t be complete without a weapon, make sure it is rubber or plastic. Choose a prop that won’t cause injury to your child or their friends.
• Check your child’s candy. When sorting through candy at the end of the night, be sure to throw away any candy that is not in its original wrapper, or looks as though it has been opened.