Why Halloween and Keep all Kids Safe

 

All about Halloween

Happy Halloween to All my blog readers…

This is my 4rth blog on this year Halloween. I the last blog we saw free guidelines to Enjoy 2013 Halloween without any accidents. In this blog you will see why Halloween and Keep Kids Safe.

Part 1-Origin

The word itself, Halloween, actually has its origins in the Catholic Church. It comes from a contracted corruption of All Hallows Eve. November 1, All Hollows Day is a Catholic day of observance in honor of saints.



It all began nearly 2,000 years ago, with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived around what is now Ireland and the UK, celebrated the New Year on November 1st (crops die, days get shorter, etc.), and believed that on the night before, the real world and the spirit world would meet.

Why Costume

These visits from the ghosts of the dead could be dangerous, of course, so the Celts and Druids wore animal costumes for protection. After the rise of Christianity, the night before the autumn festival became known as All-hallows Eve. The American celebration emerged from the combination of many different immigrant traditions.

 

Why Trick-or-treating

Many American children go trick-or-treating every Halloween, but most probably dont know that the practice was once called going a-souling. In England, families would give poor citizens soul cakes in return for a promise to pray for the souls of dead relatives. Safe to say: the soul cake tasted nothing like Candy Corn.

 

Why Carving Of Pumpkins

Carving pumpkins, on the other hand, comes from an Irish legend. Stingy Jack, the story goes,

trapped the devil in a tree and carved a cross into the trunk. The devil took revenge by making Jack forever wander the Earth at night. The Irish carved turnips, but Americans made the jack-o-lantern out of something more readily available- pumpkins.

Part 2-Halloween safety for everyone

It's the time of year for tricks and treats, costumes and sweets. Put Halloween safety first with these common-sense tips. Here are some things we can do to help make this Halloween safer for everyone:

 

1. Costumes/ Clothing

- Use a costume that allows others to see your child from a safe distance.  It's not uncommon for some children to ride their bikes, roller blades, or skateboards from house to house.  Some children can travel at high speeds on these things and before you know it, they can be right on top of you.

- Avoid using paper costumes. More and more people are lighting their pathways with small candles.  These often invite a curious child in for a closer look.

 

2. Treat/Candy

-Talk with your children about eating candy before they get home.  You should inspect the candy before they eat it. If you are not going out trick or treating with your child, buy them some of their favorite candy to eat along the way.

-Make sure you inspect "all" the candy/treats.  Anything that looks like it was tampered with should be thrown out.  It's best to error on the safe side.

 

3. Children in groups

-Stay close to home. Don't allow your child to go door to door in an unfamiliar neighborhood

- Make sure your child walks or rides around with other children and never alone.

-Children should be told under no circumstance are they to go near to any car or stranger during the evening.  I use the word car because some children will think its o.k. to go up to a van or bus if you tell them to stay away from all cars.  There are many ways you can provide a night of great entertainment without going out.  Here is just one idea.

 4. Home front/ decorations

-Clean up. Put away anything trick-or-treaters could trip over, such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations. Clear wet leaves, snow and ice from the sidewalk.

- Make sure the pathway to your home is well lit.  If you are using candles to light the way, make sure they are a safe distance from the sidewalk or driveway.  Some children wear items made of paper or carry paper bags.

If you are going to use the "dark" affect, make sure there are no tripping hazards in the way.

Take no chances that your pet might be frightened and chase or bite a child at your door.

5. Carving for Fun

-Use markers. Let young children draw faces on pumpkins with washable markers. Leave the carving to an adult.

-Invest in pumpkin cutters. With supervision, older children can carve their own pumpkins with special pumpkin cutters equipped with safety bars.

-Use candles with care. Place candlelit pumpkins on a sturdy surface away from curtains and other flammable objects. Never leave candlelit pumpkins unattended.