Happy Haunting this Friday!

Happy Halloween! Halloween came to the United States in the 1840s via Irish immigrants, who celebrated the end of summer with the holiday "Samhain" (SAH-win) meaning "end of summer." The origin of trick-or-treating is much less clear. While it resembles old European customs of ritual begging around Halloween, its inception within English speaking North America was not until the early 20th century. This leads many historians to believe that American trick-or-treating developed independently. Halloween falls on Friday this year, and Americans will celebrate in full force—over 41 million children ages 5 to 12 will trick-or-treat, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. If you'll be entertaining a few of these visitors, here are our tips for a safe and happy Halloween: Keep it clean by making sure your yard is clear of ladders, hoses, flowerpots or any type of debris that could present a potential hazard for children passing through. Keep it lit around the yard and walkway. This lets people know that you are welcoming trick-or-treaters and, more importantly, helps prevent any trip and fall mishaps. Keep it safe by using battery-powered candles as opposed to a real flame in your jack-o'-lanterns, or place your jack-o'-lanterns away from any walkways and clear of flammable decorations. Keep pets secure if there is any chance they will become agitated from all the activity on the front porch. Keep candy handy, but if you prefer healthier options, consider natural snacks like raisins or nuts, or healthier candy options found at natural food stores. You can also keep a supply of stickers, pencils, action cards or small toys at the ready—all can be found in dollar stores. Keep from running out by handing out only one candy to each child early in the evening. If you still have a lot of candy left by 8:00 p.m., start giving two or three pieces to each child. If you have kids, you'll most likely spend Halloween escorting them on a trick-or-treating adventure through the neighborhood. Here are a few suggestions for making it a positive experience for everyone: Eat dinner before dessert Everyone will have the energy they need for a night of fun. Putting it off until later means trying to get your kids to eat healthy food while staring at their pile of candy—good luck with that! Travel in packs or large groups See if other parents are up for joining you—your children will enjoy seeing their friends, and you'll enjoy conversing with other adults. Consider safety while looking for a costume: it should be made from fire retardant material and fit well, and should not drag on the ground. Shoes should fit normally, and masks should not obstruct your child's vision. Carry a cell phone and flashlight, and depending on the age or the number of children you're supervising, you may also want to consider carrying a pack with appropriate supplies. Share the rules of the road with kids: 1) Stay with the pack and no running ahead. 2) Walk on the left hand side of the street in order to see oncoming traffic. 3) Obey all traffic signs and stoplights. 4) Stay away from any strange animals. 5) Do not use lawns or flowerbeds as walkways. Control the candy, making sure to inspect every piece before your child eats it. While tampering is a rare occurrence, throw away any candy that looks at all suspicious. Good luck and Happy Halloween!