Halloween has a well-earned reputation for bringing the shivers and chills, but it might bring something far more frightening to wildlife.

Every year wildlife rehabilitation centers respond to calls of wildlife being injured and killed because of Halloween decorations and the other accouterments that go with the holiday.

In 2012, WildCare, a rehab center based in San Rafael, participated in one of its most memorable rescues, saving a screech owl that had become entangled in fake cobwebs draped around a home. The owl was shaken up but otherwise uninjured, and after some general care, was returned to the wild. There have been other rescues since then.

Here are WildCare’s tips on keeping Halloween fun for the humans while making it safer for wildlife.

Don’t use fake spider webs or other decorations made of entangling fibers on the outside of your home. Wild animals can easily get trapped and may not be able to break the material to free themselves.

Avoid decorations with loops or closed circles. A foraging animal can inadvertently put its head through a loop or circle and choke itself.

Avoid decorations with small, dangling, edible-looking parts.

Strings of lights can become snare traps for adult male deer who get them caught in their antlers. Avoid hanging lights or decorations in areas where deer pass.

Candy, and the plastic it’s wrapped in, can also be a hazard for animals. Don’t leave candy out where wildlife may find it, and dispose of all candy wrappers properly.

Carved pumpkins may be attractive to wildlife as food, so properly dispose of them if you don’t want post-holiday trick-or-treaters.

Be alert for nocturnal wildlife while trick-or-treating. Avoid cutting across lawns and through brushy areas to avoid accidental encounters with your wild neighbors.

Drivers on Halloween night know to be on the alert for children, but we encourage you to also be aware of wildlife that may be scared out of hiding by all the unusual nighttime activity.

Any time you encounter a wild animal in distress, call the closest wildlife rehab center or WildCare’s 24-hour hotline at 415-456-7283.