As you all probably know, a spooky holiday is coming up! Halloween is a fun time of the year, but if you aren’t responsible, it can be as scary as the movies! This week’s blog post is about tips on staying safe this Halloween!

Halloween Fact: The first Jack O’Lanterns were actually made from turnips

For Parents:

• Ensure you know what your children’s costumes are, and that you are with them at all times. Halloween costumes should have bright markings, and made out of non-flammable material. If needed, you can easily use reflective tape on costumes so children become more visible at night.
• Costumes should fit just right. Ensure costumes aren’t too long that kids are tripping!
• If masks are being used, be sure that the eye holes are big enough to see out of, and doesn’t restrict vision or block breathing
• Young children should always be accompanied by adults, or travel together in groups
• Stay on one side of the road, try to avoid crossing the street each time. Only cross at corners, staying off of roads and lawns
• Inspect your children’s candies before allowing them to eat them.

Pumpkin Fact: The largest pumpkin ever measured was grown by Norm Craven, who broke the world record in 1993 with a 836 lb. pumpkin
 

(Actual Pumpkin)

For Children:

• Only go Trick-or-Treating during the early evening, never late into the night.
• Make sure your parents always know where you are going and what route you are taking
• Never travel in areas that are dark and vacant
• Avoid talking to strangers
• Never go anywhere with strangers, or someone you don’t know very well. Be sure to check with your parents first.
• Never enter the home of a stranger, always stand at the door and stay away from homes that are in total darkness
• Have your parents inspect your Halloween treats before eating them

Did You Know?: The first known mention of trick-or-treating in print in North America occurred in 1927 in Blackie, Alberta, Canada

Make sure you stay safe this Halloween and stick to these tips to stay out of a scary situation! We hope you all have a spooky Halloween and have fun with your friends and family! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us!

Sources:
 - Rogers, Nicholas. Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2003
-  “Largest Rutabaga-World Record Set by Norm Craven.” World Records Academy. December 6, 2008. Accessed: October 25, 2016.
- Morrow, Ed. The Halloween Handbook. Secaucus, NJ: Citadel Press, 2001.