Halloween is right around the corner. It is important to remember that along with this spooky season, you must also take precautions to stay safe.

Madison is filled with so many unique, fun things to do to celebrate Halloween. One of them is Freak Fest.

Because of the large number of people in the area during that time, there have been concerns when it comes to safety, especially in light of tragic instances in recent years.

Fortunately, safety is always the priority of the Madison Police Department. With new safety protocols in place, the number of arrests during this event has gone down from 334 in 2005 to 13 in 2016, as stated on the Freak Fest website.

Maybe you opt-out of Freak Fest and have different plans for the night. Whether you’re going out with a group of friends or flying solo, there are a few actions you can take to ensure your safety. Make sure that your phone is all charged up before you head out. If you think you will be out long enough for your phone to run low or die, bring a portable charger. You don’t want to be left with no way to communicate in case something goes awry.

If you have location settings turned on your smartphone, it might be a good idea to share it with friends or family. Even if nothing bad happens, it might be helpful if you lose your phone during the night’s fun.

Have fun and socialize, but stay cautious of people you do not know, especially if they are masked. Because they are unrecognizable, you want to take an extra step of precaution.

If you are uncomfortable in any way, do not be afraid to leave. If you suspect that there is foul play at hand, do not be afraid to report something. You might be protecting others.

Halloween should be a fun time to celebrate with your friends.

Just remember to stay safe this spooky season, and have fun!