Simple tricks keep Halloween fun and safe
Monday is Halloween — All Hallow's Eve. A night when ghosts and goblins, monsters and witches roam the streets in search of … candy.
Halloween began as a pagan holiday — the celebration of the harvest of and the Celtic New Year. It was considered a night when the veil between this world and the next was thin and spirits of the dead roamed the earth. Later, the Catholic Church recognized Nov. 1 as All Hallow's Day — a day for celebrating the Saints and their good works. Thus, the night before became All Hallow's Eve — or Halloween, which combines both traditions.
Part of the centuries-old tradition of Halloween involves dressing up in costumes and begging for treats. This, or course, is still the fun part for children and adults alike. But wandering the streets, lighting fires in squash, drinking spiked cider and eating tons of candy from strangers could be a recipe for disaster if we're not careful. A great rule of thumb for everyone on Halloween is not to overindulge. Remember that sometimes too much of a good thing can be — well, too much of a good thing.
What to do? Well, following some basic safety precautions will keep both you and your favorite little trick-or-treaters healthy and able to haunt our community again next year!
Costumes are a fun part of the holiday. Whether your kid decides to be Harry Potter or a slime-covered space alien, their costume should be easy to walk in and see out of. If carrying a prop such as a knife or pitchfork, make sure that they are fake. They should be flexible and have rounded tips so as not to inadvertently skewer someone or harm the carrier if fallen on. Children (and adults) should also carry or wear reflective devices, glow-sticks, or a flashlight to be seen by oncoming traffic.
No Halloween would be complete without trick-or-treating. It's always safer for an adult to accompany kids — especially the younger ones. Stress the importance of basic pedestrian safety, such as looking both ways before crossing the street and not getting into cars with strangers. All candy should be examined by an adult before it's eaten. Though we live in a relatively safe community, it's always better to be safe than sorry. Candy should be thrown away if the wrapper is missing, torn, or punctured.
Explain to children that vandalism can be harmful. Things that might sound funny to a kid can very easily hurt someone or cause property damage. Things like throwing eggs or Jack-o'-lanterns at someone's house are not acceptable Halloween tricks.
Adults also need to take some precautions. For those heading out to a party, make sure you have a designated driver or call a cab if you celebrated with a few too many. It is never a good idea to drive drunk and the scenario could be even worse on a night when lots of kids are on the street.
If you're planning on staying in and passing out candy, make sure your porch is a safe place for kids to be. Keep all Jack-o'-lanterns at a safe distance from the door so they don't inadvertently light a costume on fire. Keep at least one light on so trick-or-treaters can see where they're going. Everyone always loves spooky house decorations, but it's your job to keep visitors' safety in mind as well.
Growing up, my friends and I always thought of Halloween as one of the most magical nights of the year. We started planning our costumes for the next year on November 1. If we all do our part, generations of Bonner County kids can have great Halloween memories to share with their kids as well.