As autumn offers its changing leaves and chilly nights, little ones begin to think about the mounds of candy they expect to collect on Halloween. While their thoughts focus on sweets and treats, adults should remind themselves of the potential hazards the annual festival creates.
Halloween’s origins trace back to ancient Celts in what is now the United Kingdom, Ireland and northern France. They celebrated Samhain, a special day that marked the end of summer. The Celts believed the boundary between the living and the dead grew thin on Samhain, allowing the dead to return. They marked the day with parties and bonfires, and wore costumes so they would not be recognized by ghosts.
Today’s holiday includes elaborate decorations and, of course, the traditional night for children to go door-to-door. Trunk-or-treat events offer families a safer way to enjoy the holiday, allowing children to collect bags of treats in a compact, controlled situation.
Hoopeston Jaycees will sponsor their annual Spooktacular downtown from 5:30-7 p.m. Monday. Ridge Farm’s village board will sponsor a special trunk or treat 5-7 p.m. Oct. 31 at the village hall, and Rossville’s Halloween special will be 5-7 p.m. Oct. 31 in Christman Park. Residents in other communities should check for similar events.
With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, our neighborhoods are likely to be busier than usual. Anyone planning to be out and about should use extra caution.
Healthychildren.org, a website supported by pediatricians, offers these Halloween safety tips:
Be sure costumes, shoes and wigs fit properly and don’t cause trips or blocked vision.
Trick-or-treaters should wear bright clothing or have reflective tape added to costumes to make them easier to see. Children should carry flashlights or glow-sticks or wear handlamps to light their way.
Adults should accompany children as they make the rounds of neighborhood houses. Visits should be made only to houses with porch lights on, and children should not enter homes.
Children should stay on sidewalks and ross streets only at intersections. They should not cross in the middle of a block or from between parked cars.
Parents should not allow children to eat any treats until they have been inspected — and no fair collecting a “parent tax” from the good candy first.
Those who plan to be driving on Halloween night should plan to travel slower than usual and to be on the lookout for children who might run into the street.
Homeowners should be sure to remove tripping hazards, clear leaves from walkways, restrain pets and be sure outdoor lights are working.
Halloween remains one of the most popular holidays on our calendar. Use extra care and caution Oct. 31 to ensure all of our ghosts and goblins make it back home safely.