It’s that time of year when households across the UK put on their scariest outfits and hit the streets in search of chocolates and sugar-filled sweets.

Love it or loathe it, Halloween is growing in popularity in the UK and now thousands of Brits of all ages join in on this spooky fun every year.

Pumpkin carving and costume parties are among some of the activities you can do to celebrate the occasion, but the most popular way to celebrate Halloween is to go trick-or-treating.

But households are warned to be aware of an age limit rule that could get you in trouble with the law.

Trick-or-treating itself is not an illegal activity here in the UK, but it is considered by some to be an “unwanted American cultural import” and can sometimes lead to incidents such as property damage, inconvenience and personal injury.

If a child damages property with a “trick” this can be considered a criminal offense as well as a civil matter and the police will intervene in the event of any anti-social behaviour.

As such, parents and guardians have the responsibility to ensure that children are supervised when participating in the Halloween festivities or they could face a huge bill to fund repair costs.

Households should note that while there is no minimum age to participate in trick-or-treating, if your child is under 16, parents or guardians will be required to pay fines if problems occur while they are away from home. Therefore, it is recommended that children be accompanied by an adult while trick-or-treating at all times.

Sergio Abreu, Legal Advisor at DAS Law, said: “Generally speaking, parents or guardians are responsible for ensuring that their children are supervised in certain circumstances, although this will vary depending on their age, as older children have less likely to require supervision, as they will. They have greater responsibility for their actions.

“This means that any civil action to recover losses due to harm caused by a child should be brought against the child. However, holding a child responsible for their actions may not be a realistic way forward, as a child is unlikely to have assets to claim damages, so holding the parent or guardian responsible would be preferable.

“To hold a parent or guardian liable, it would be necessary to show that they have been negligent and that this caused the child to damage their property. “This would depend on the circumstances and evidence and could include arguments such as failure to supervise or control the child.”

While many UK households embrace trick-or-treating, there are some who prefer not to be disturbed by revelers.

If a home has a pumpkin or other Halloween-themed decoration in the window, it’s generally safe to assume that residents will be happy to host trick-or-treaters.

Some homes may display a “do not knock” or “no trick-or-treating” notice instructing young people not to knock on their door, in which case the resident’s wishes must be respected.

If you or your kids plan to go trick-or-treating this Halloween, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Children should always be accompanied by an adult when trick-or-treating.

• Trick-or-treaters should only go to houses that they know are happy to be called; Be aware of “please do not call” signs and respect your neighbors.

• Stick to places that are well lit and in neighborhoods you know.

• Bring a flashlight and a fully charged phone (if you have one)

• If you wear a mask, make sure you can see where you are going when moving from house to house and be aware of your surroundings.

• Avoid leaving wheelie bins, or anything that could be used for an illegal bonfire, outside your home.

• If a pumpkin is displayed outside your house, this is a sign that trick-or-treaters may call.

• Wait until you get home before eating any of your treats so an adult can check them.

• Don’t let children leave the house with eggs or flour.