| Halloween is a great tradition that is a part of | | | | sure children are well-fed with a good dinner |
| most everyone's childhood memories. Kids (and | | | | before setting out to trick or treat, as this will |
| many adults, too) get to dress up and be | | | | reduce the probability of premature snacking |
| something or someone else for a day. They get | | | | before inspection can occur. Sticking to familiar |
| to go from house to house, knocking on doors | | | | neighborhoods should also minimize the risk. Candy |
| and asking for candy. The holiday originated with | | | | should be inspected to make sure it is in its original |
| Celtic rituals dating back thousands of years, and | | | | packaging, and that the packaging is intact (no |
| the first official citywide celebration of Halloween | | | | loose wrapping, holes, tears, etc.). |
| in the United States took place in Anoka, | | | | 3. The Journey: An adult or older teenager should |
| Minnesota in 1921. | | | | supervise children at all times. Children should |
| As the years have gone by, however, fears have | | | | never enter anyone's home without the adult |
| increased about the safety of children during the | | | | present. Plan the route and establish a return time. |
| holiday. The days are gone when anyone would | | | | Only stop at well-lit homes. Walk on sidewalks, or |
| allow their child to roam the streets at will and | | | | if the street must be used, walk on the left side |
| unsupervised. Halloween can still be a fun and safe | | | | of the road facing traffic. No running--uneven |
| adventure for kids if parents stay alert and follow | | | | sidewalks and yards can cause falls. Carrying a |
| a few safety guidelines, however. These guidelines | | | | flashlight is also a good idea. As for older |
| fall into three general categories: | | | | teenagers and adults who may be driving that |
| 1. Costumes: Make sure your child's costume is | | | | evening, extreme caution must be exercised. |
| enhanced for visibility. Many costumes are dark, | | | | Watch for children darting out from between |
| and reflective tape can be added. Costumes | | | | parked cars. Children may not have on the |
| should fit well, since a too-long costume can be a | | | | recommended reflective tape, so watch out for |
| trip hazard, especially at night. In fact, falls are the | | | | those in dark clothing. Enter and exit driveways |
| leading cause of accidents on Halloween night. | | | | and alleys carefully. Another consideration is |
| Face paint is preferable to masks in that it does | | | | animals. Pet owners should have their animals |
| not impede vision like many masks do. If a mask | | | | securely pinned up, as the increased foot traffic |
| is worn, it should have large eye holes and some | | | | and presence of strangers is sure to get animals, |
| type of opening for both the nose and mouth. | | | | particularly dogs, worked up. However, there |
| Any accessories such as knives and swords | | | | could be dogs or other stray animals loose, and |
| should be made from flexible material, so that | | | | children should be on the lookout. |
| they do not injure a child in case of a fall. | | | | In ancient times, the Celtics celebrated the holiday |
| 2. Treats: The good news about treats is that the | | | | now known as Halloween by lighting huge bonfires |
| possibility that children may be given tainted | | | | and burning sacrifices to their gods. The rituals |
| Halloween candy is, by and large, nonexistent. A | | | | were somber in those days, but fortunately times |
| few isolated incidents have occured, but much of | | | | have changed, and Halloween is a day for fun and |
| the hype over this was generated by urban | | | | perhaps a bit of harmless mischief. By following |
| legends that were spread around, and the media. | | | | the tips listed above, adults and children alike can |
| However, it is still in the realm of possibility, and all | | | | enjoy a mostly worry-free celebration on |
| candy should be inspected by parents before it is | | | | October 31. |
| consumed by children. It is a good idea to make | | | | |