This year, Halloween combines with the occasion of turning clocks back for the fall, and there are some safety tips on both fronts of which to take note. They could prevent serious injury or death.

With regard to the time change, Suffolk Fire and Rescue reminds folks to change the battery in their smoke alarms when they turn their clocks back, which happens at 2 a.m. Sunday.

The National Fire Protection Association says 60 percent of fire deaths happen in homes with no working smoke alarms. Even though smoke alarm batteries might last as long as a year, experts say you should change them twice yearly to be safe. Having working smoke alarms installed in the proper places in your home — inside and outside each bedroom and on every level of the home — is a common-sense way to protect your family’s lives. You can call Suffolk Fire and Rescue at 514-4550 for more information about smoke alarms.

That brings us to Halloween, which little ghosts and goblins across the city are no doubt anticipating with glee and thoughts of candy dancing in their heads. But trick-or-treating can be dangerous, so Suffolk wants to remind parents of trick-or-treaters of the following safety tips:

• Only children 12 and under are allowed to trick-or-treat. It ends at 8 p.m.
• A responsible adult should escort children and carry flashlights so motorists can see them.
• Remind children to watch for cars.
• Motorists should remember that children likely will forget to look for cars. Be patient and slow down.
• All costumes should be made of light-colored, fireproof material that fits properly. Masks should not be worn if they block vision.
• Remind children to trick-or-treat only at homes that have porch lights on.
• Children should wait until treats are inspected before eating them. Only allow children to eat unopened treats in their original wrappers.