Halloween
What is Halloween?
It is derived from an ancient Celtic Festival on October 31 marking the end of the agricultural year and the beginning of winter.
It was believed on that night the barriers between our world and the spirit world were at their weakest to allow the souls of the dead return to earth in search of warmth and light of their former lives.
It was officially recognised in 1006 as Hallows Eve, the night before All Souls Day.
Over time, the name has been shortened to Halloween and is celebrated these days by an evening of pranks when children dress up as ghouls, witches or monsters and go out to ‘trick or treat’, playing tricks on their neighbours unless they are given a treat, usually sweets
Costume Safety Tips
Some of you will be buying or hiring costumes, others will opt to make your own. Either way here a few tips to help make your Halloween safe and fun.
- Make sure the material used is fire resistant so you will not be in danger if you are near a lighted pumpkin!
- Avoid long and trailing costumes to avoid any possibility of falling or tripping. Don’t forget it will be dark!
- Make sure your costume has no sharp parts, weapons, brooms or wands; plastic or rubber material is best.
- We all know vampires, werewolves and witches would not look cool in bright, light clothing but you do need to be seen in the dark. Think about adding strips of reflective tape to the front and the back of your costume including your trick or treat bag.
- Remember to wear flat, well fitting shoes — you might be walking a lot around your neighbourhood. Sore feet can ruin your fun.
- If you want to wear a mask make sure it does not obstruct your vision. If it does, make the eyeholes wider or take it off between houses so you can see where you are walking.
- Try using face paints. Look for non-toxic, hypoallergenic kits.
Don’t forget about your pets on Halloween!
Leave your pets at home during your trick or treat outing.
It is also unwise to try and dress them up for the occasion. They may look cute but the costume could be restricting, annoying or even unsafe. Even the sweetest pets can get snappy if they are uncomfortable.
Be careful of pets around a lit pumpkin. Curious pets could knock it over and cause a fire or run the risk of getting burnt.
Trick or Treats sweets are not for pets. Chocolate can be poisonous to a lot of animals and tin foil and cellophane wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.
Trick or Treat?
As always when it comes to Halloween there are some other safety tips to consider. Not against vampires and witches but by being sensible when out on a dark night and aware of your surroundings.
- Never go out on your own. Always trick or treat with your friends or family. It is safer and more fun with a few of you.
- Never separate from this group of friends and wander off on your own.
- It is advisable to take a responsible adult or an older friend with you. But if this is not possible, tell you parents or guardian where you will be and when you will be back. Even draw a map of your local streets a plan a scary walk for you and your friends.
- If you can, take a mobile phone with you.
- Only stop at familiar houses or where there is an outside light on.
- Do not enter a strange house—trust your instincts. Always do your trick or treat on the doorstep.
- Always walk on the pavement, never on the road and take care crossing roads.
- Carry a torch with you– it will help you see where you are going and can be used for scary effects.
- Think about what time you go out on your trick or treat don’t call at doors late at night.
- If no one answers the door, they may not be in or might not wish to join in the fun. So ring the doorbell or knock on the door once only. No one likes a nuisance!
- And most of all be careful what you get yourself into. Playing nasty tricks on people that are destructive and messy can land you in more trouble than its worth. Keep it fun and light-hearted.