Halloween Facts and Safety Tips for Families
Tara Paterson
October 12, 2007
Did you know Halloween is the second most commercially celebrated holiday after Christmas? Halloween is also one of the oldest celebrations in the world, dating back over 2000 years to the time of the Celts who lived in Britain It’s a holiday both parents and children delight in for many different reasons. Statistically, 82% of children partake in some Halloween festivity while 67% of adults join in.
Halloween was first brought to North America by European immigrants who would sit around a bonfire wearing masks, sharing ghost stories, dancing and singing. In other European countries like Ireland and England, Jack ‘O Lanterns were set out on front doorsteps and used to keep away ghosts and spirits. Halloween often referred to as “All Hallows Eve,” was originally a Pagan Holiday and falls on the last day of the Celtic Calendar; it was a celebration honoring the dead. The colors of orange and black became signature of Halloween because they represented the fall harvests and death. The Celts believed this last day of the year closely linked the past with the present and the celebration of Halloween would allow their ancestral spirits to join them.
In ancient times, many precautions were taken the night of Halloween. It was believed journeys were to be finished before sunset; a piece of bread crossed with salt (holy bread with witch- repellent salt) was carried in the pockets of travelers to keep them safe; and the night of All Hallows Eve, nuts were used as magic charms, as people believed that the Devil was a nut-gatherer. Halloween to this day is perceived by many as a holiday honoring evil and mischief and as such, modern day caution is necessary when celebrating with children. Here are a few tips from the Food and Drug Administration for parents when examining treats for their children-
Children shouldn't snack while they're out trick-or-treating. They should wait until they get home and parents have had a chance to inspect the goodies.
Tell children not to accept--and, especially, not to eat--anything that isn't commercially wrapped.
When children bring their treats home, discard any home-made candy or baked goods.
Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious.
If juice or cider is served to children at Halloween parties, make sure it is pasteurized or otherwise treated to destroy harmful bacteria.
It is believed the Irish began the tradition of trick or treating, while preparing for All Hallows Eve. The town’s people would visit their neighbor’s homes and request contributions of food for a feast in the town. Today, trick or treating has a different twist thanks to our American traditions and with that, the number one concern parents and children should be aware of on this festive, spooky night is safety. Here are some helpful hints for making this a fun, safe experience:
Young children should always be accompanied by an adult while trick or treating
Visit houses where the lights are on
Trick or treat with 2 or more buddies
Be cautious of strangers or anything that looks like it may be suspicious
Always use common sense
Trick or treat in a familiar area and for older children, make sure parents know where you are trick or treating
Never go inside unknown homes. Accept treats at the doorway
Carry a flashlight or other bright object so cars and other people can see you
Some final fun facts: Black cats were originally believed to protect witches' powers from negative forces; approximately 99% of pumpkins sold are used as Jack O' Lanterns at Halloween; ringing a bell is believed to scare evil spirits away; and if you see a spider on this night, it could be the spirit of a dead loved one who is watching you.
However you choose to spend Halloween, make it fun and safe for all… And if your pumpkin lantern should happen to shrivel up, you can restore it by soaking it in water overnight to re-hydrate it.
2007 by Tara Paterson, All Rights Reserved
Halloween was first brought to North America by European immigrants who would sit around a bonfire wearing masks, sharing ghost stories, dancing and singing. In other European countries like Ireland and England, Jack ‘O Lanterns were set out on front doorsteps and used to keep away ghosts and spirits. Halloween often referred to as “All Hallows Eve,” was originally a Pagan Holiday and falls on the last day of the Celtic Calendar; it was a celebration honoring the dead. The colors of orange and black became signature of Halloween because they represented the fall harvests and death. The Celts believed this last day of the year closely linked the past with the present and the celebration of Halloween would allow their ancestral spirits to join them.
In ancient times, many precautions were taken the night of Halloween. It was believed journeys were to be finished before sunset; a piece of bread crossed with salt (holy bread with witch- repellent salt) was carried in the pockets of travelers to keep them safe; and the night of All Hallows Eve, nuts were used as magic charms, as people believed that the Devil was a nut-gatherer. Halloween to this day is perceived by many as a holiday honoring evil and mischief and as such, modern day caution is necessary when celebrating with children. Here are a few tips from the Food and Drug Administration for parents when examining treats for their children-
Children shouldn't snack while they're out trick-or-treating. They should wait until they get home and parents have had a chance to inspect the goodies.
Tell children not to accept--and, especially, not to eat--anything that isn't commercially wrapped.
When children bring their treats home, discard any home-made candy or baked goods.
Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious.
If juice or cider is served to children at Halloween parties, make sure it is pasteurized or otherwise treated to destroy harmful bacteria.
It is believed the Irish began the tradition of trick or treating, while preparing for All Hallows Eve. The town’s people would visit their neighbor’s homes and request contributions of food for a feast in the town. Today, trick or treating has a different twist thanks to our American traditions and with that, the number one concern parents and children should be aware of on this festive, spooky night is safety. Here are some helpful hints for making this a fun, safe experience:
Young children should always be accompanied by an adult while trick or treating
Visit houses where the lights are on
Trick or treat with 2 or more buddies
Be cautious of strangers or anything that looks like it may be suspicious
Always use common sense
Trick or treat in a familiar area and for older children, make sure parents know where you are trick or treating
Never go inside unknown homes. Accept treats at the doorway
Carry a flashlight or other bright object so cars and other people can see you
Some final fun facts: Black cats were originally believed to protect witches' powers from negative forces; approximately 99% of pumpkins sold are used as Jack O' Lanterns at Halloween; ringing a bell is believed to scare evil spirits away; and if you see a spider on this night, it could be the spirit of a dead loved one who is watching you.
However you choose to spend Halloween, make it fun and safe for all… And if your pumpkin lantern should happen to shrivel up, you can restore it by soaking it in water overnight to re-hydrate it.
2007 by Tara Paterson, All Rights Reserved