Princesses, pirates, ghosts… stereotypes, victims, and murderers? It’s Halloween time again.

When the leaves start to turn, preparation for Halloween celebrations begin. Costume stores pop up, parties are planned, competitions are announced, and people rush to find the scariest, coolest, or funniest costumes that will make them stand out. But too many people choose costumes that will get them noticed for all the wrong reasons.

I’m excited every year to start searching for the coolest costume ideas, but too many times when I’m scouring Pinterest or walking through the Halloween store with my little sister, I’m greeted with costumes that are, at the very least, distasteful.

“Sexy” or stereotypical Native American, Mexican, Asian, and Middle Eastern costumes are always popular. Costumes depicting homeless people, Caitlyn Jenner, and skeletons with eating disorders are all sold in stores alongside Elsa and Rey.

Even worse are costumes of real-life violent criminals and victims. Searching online for costumes yields smiling pictures of people dressed as ISIS, real-life shooters like George Zimmerman and victims like Trayvon Martin, celebrities accused of abuse and sexual assault, and zombie versions of victims of tragedies like the Boston Marathon bombing.

Everything feels acceptable on Halloween. It’s the one day when everyone can dress as ridiculously, revealingly, or extravagantly as they want to with little judgement.

Many people who slap on a sombrero or a headdress are not trying to be offensive. But before you pick up a questionable costume, think about it.

Would you feel comfortable wearing a costume making fun of stereotypes about a stranger you meet at a party? Would you wear the costume of a real-life violent criminal in front of the victim or their loved ones?

You may not run into them on the way to your friend’s party, but what’s done among friends today could be on the front page of Reddit tomorrow.

I know some people might say, “You’re being too sensitive! It’s just a costume.”

But why is there a reason to dress up in a way that upsets people when there are thousands of other options that are just as exciting and fun that don’t hurt anyone?

If you want to go as something funny, grab a wizard’s hat and a Patriot’s jersey and go as fantasy football. The possibilities are endless.

You’ll have a lot more fun when the people who see you are impressed or amused, and not cringing at your poor judgement.