Your Auntie M is always up for a bit of good, scary fun--and there's no time that's better for that than Hallowe'en!
Hallowe'en can be fun and safe too.Just make sure to practice a little common sense and you'll have a more enjoyable holiday for it. Good judgement is the key for Couch Pumpkins large and small, so take some advice from your Sorceress-at-Large, starting with...
Tips for Trick'r'Treaters:
Getting ready to go
- It's a good idea to wear light-colored clothing or reflective-type clothing so you are more visible. Or decorate your dark-colored costumes with reflective tape. (And remember to put reflective tape on bikes, skateboards and brooms too!)
- Make sure costumes are flame-retardant. (Some jack-o'-lanterns bite!)
- Keep costumes short to prevent trips, falls, and other bumps in the night. And choose comfy shoes for all that wandering. Nothing's more embarrassing than a vampire tripping over his cape--unless it's a witch falling off her shoes! (These old dungeons are murder in heels, kids!)
- Costume accessories like swords and pitchforks should be made out of soft/flexible material to avoid an "ouch" if you do trip.
- Try using face paint (the non-toxic, hypoallergenic stuff) rather than masks or things that will cover your eyes. (Just a little eyeshadow does wonders for me...) ;)
- If you do wear a mask, make sure it doesn't block vision. Enlarge the eyeholes if necessary. Beware of masks that restrict breathing. And it's a good idea to remove masks when crossing the street to better see where you're going--or what's coming.
- Plan your route and share it with your family. If possible, have an adult go with you. A cel-phone is not such a bad idea either. (Just don't bury it under all your loot, brave heart! You might end up sticking a Snickers in your ear instead.)
- Carry a flashlight to light your way. "Glow sticks" are good too, and make great props!
Hitting the street
- PLEASE: Remember your traffic safety rules, brave hearts! It's no fun looking like a mummy the day AFTER Hallowe'en...
- Whether you walk, slither or creep, do it on the sidewalk and not in the street. (It's best to walk, not run, on the side facing oncoming traffic.)
- Always look both ways before crossing the street to check for cars, trucks and low-flying brooms.
- Cross the street only at corners. Don't hide or cross the street between parked cars.
- It's safest to trick-or-treat with a group of friends and stay in your own neighborhood.
- Don't cut across yards. You never know what Hidden Danger could be lurking in the dark. (I ran into a bush once...)
- It is a good idea to only trick-or-treat at houses that have the lights on and Halloween decorations hanging up.
- Accept your treats at the door and never go into a stranger's house.
- Always be cautious of animals and strangers.
And the wrap-up...
...or the unwrapping, as the case may be, m'dears.
- Don't snack while you're trick-or-treating. have your parents check your treats at home first. And don't eat candy if the package is already opened.
- Don't try to eat your loot all at once either, brave heart, or you'll REALLY feel ghoulish afterward. And what fun is that??
Tips for adults:
Good news, m'dears! Hallowe'en is on a Saturday night this year. It's not a "school night" -- but it is a lively weekend night.
- When driving, be aware of the fact that it is Hallowe'en and that there are numerous children on the streets, some wearing dark, hard-to-see costumes. Not everyone is safety-conscious, so PLEASE make sure you're doubly aware!
- Make sure your home is trick-or-treater friendly:
- To keep your home safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, remove anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations. (Can't really do anything about that bush, can we?) And watch where you run extension cords, guy lines, etc., to any yard decorations. "Spooky, GOOOOD. Booby trap, BAAAD."
- Check outdoor lights and replace burned out bulbs.
- Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
- Keep burning jack-o'-lanterns away from landings and doorsteps where they could be knocked over or come into contact with costumes. Indoors, keep 'em away from curtains and combustibles. (Consider battery-operated lights as an alternative to candles, too.)
- Don't leave your pet out in the yard on Hallowe'en. Not only will this keep them safe from pranksters, but even the most sociable dog can get upset by too many strangers and too much excitement.
- Be careful of pets around candles and candlelit jack-o'-lanterns. Pets might knock such things over and start a fire, or curious little critters could get burned.
- Go trick or treating with your children. Or, if they are old enough to go alone, make sure they are traveling in a group. If they have a cel-phone or pager with them, so much the better! (And make sure it's well-charged.)
- Know the route your children will be taking. Encourage them to visit only the homes of people they know.
- Remind children to never go inside a stranger's house or car. Never allow them to go inside of an apartment building alone.
- Hallowe'en isn't a school-night this year, so plan accordingly. Have an understood "home-by" time. If the kids are going to a party after trick-or-treating, know where it will be held, who will be chaperoning and what time they are to come home. Ask them to call you when they get to the event. Or consider having a party at your place! (Your Auntie M loves a good party...)
- All candy should be inspected by an adult before children are allowed to eat it. Throw away any treat that is not store-purchased and individually wrapped unless you are absolutely certain where it came from. Watch for signs of tampering, such as small pinholes in wrappers and torn or loose packages.
- Parents of very young children (ages 4 and under) should get rid of choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys.
- Trick-or-treat candies are NOT for pets: Chocolate is poisonous to a lot of animals, and wrappers, gum, etc., can be a hazard if swallowed.
- Remember that Hallowe'en is for children of all ages...so get involved with your little ghost or goblin! (Besides, it's never too late to have a happy childhood!)