Halloween Safety 101

Going trick-or-treating is something that kids look forward to every year. But for parents, it's a time of mixed emotions. We love to see our kids all dressed up in cute or scary costumes and having fun, but we also worry about their safety.

With all the activities going on during the holiday, Halloween certainly comes with an increased risk of accidents and injuries. Here are some tips to help your kids stay safe while still enjoying themselves.

* Make sure your child's costume is designed with safety in mind. It should be flame resistant and short enough to prevent tripping, and shoes should be sturdy and comfortable. Masks should have eye holes large enough to allow the child to see well, and should be properly ventilated. If possible, use make-up instead of a mask.

* Costumes and bags should be light in color or trimmed with reflective tape so that drivers of oncoming cars can see your child.

* Accessories should be soft and flexible. There should be no sharp edges on them.

* Provide a working flashlight for each child. Put fresh batteries in each one before sending them off.

* Carry a cell phone if accompanying your child. If not, give him one to carry with him and make sure he knows how to use it to call home or dial 911.

* Young children should be accompanied by an adult or a child who is old enough and responsible enough to watch over them. All children should be reminded to walk, not run, from house to house, and to look both ways before crossing the street. They should walk on the sidewalk if possible, otherwise they should walk on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic.

* Children should only go to homes of people that they know. They should never go inside unless accompanied by an adult.

* Advise your children not to pet unfamiliar animals.

* Inspect all candy before your child eats it. Throw out anything that is not individually wrapped or appears to have been tampered with.

* Small children should not eat candy that presents a choking hazard. This includes most hard candy, as well as some bite-sized chewable candies.

* If possible, have dinner before sending the kids out for trick-or-treating. This will make it less likely that they will eat candy before you've had a chance to inspect it.

Halloween is meant to be fun for kids, but it also comes with some unique risks. By keeping safety in mind at all times, you can reduce your child's chance of accident or injury and ensure that the holiday is a source of good times and fond memories.

What Are the Historic Superstitions of Halloween?

Around Halloween, we hear increased talk about superstitions. Most of them sound like silly things that someone just made up for fun. But many of today's superstitions have roots in ancient folklore. Here are the stories of some of the most popular ones.

Jack O'Lantern

Most of us carve faces into pumpkins on Halloween as decorations without giving it much thought. But did you know that a lighted jack o'lantern is supposed to keep evil spirits away? There is also an interesting legend about the origin of the jack o'lantern.

The story says that there was farmer by the name of Stingy Jack who was known for being a temperamental drunkard. One day the Devil came to claim his soul, but Jack tricked him into climbing an apple tree. While he was in the tree, Jack carved a cross into the trunk, which rendered the Devil powerless and unable to climb down.

When Jack died, he was not admitted into heaven because he had lived a sinful life. But the Devil would not let him into hell either. The Devil threw him an ember, and Jack carved out a turnip and placed it inside to light his way while he roamed the earth. In the United States, where pumpkins were plentiful, they were used instead of turnips.

Black Cats

The black cat is rather symbolic of Halloween, but folklore about the animal is not directly associated with the holiday. There are many superstitions about black cats, many of which associate them with bad luck. In some countries, however, they are associated with good luck.

One of the best known stories about black cats comes from 16th century England. It says that a father and son were frightened by a small creature crossing their path one night. The creature darted into a crawl space, and they threw rocks at it. When it scurried out, they saw that it was a black cat, which they had injured. It ran into the home of a woman suspected of witchcraft. The next day, the father and son saw the woman with a bruised face and bandaged arm. This story is responsible for the belief that witches can turn themselves into black cats.

Bobbing for Apples

Bobbing for apples is a popular game at Halloween parties. This too has its roots in ancient folklore. Apples were the symbol of the Roman goddess Pomona, who was known for her beauty and fertility. During the Celtic festival of Samhain, the predecessor to the modern Halloween, young unmarried people would attempt to bite apples that were either floating in water or hanging from a string. The first person to bite into one was believed to be the next to marry.

These are just a few of the many superstitions that go back thousands of years. Whether you believe in them or not, they are some of the things that make Halloween so much fun.

Five Fun Halloween Game Ideas

When it comes to Halloween, the first activity most of us think about is trick-or-treating. That's certainly a big part of it, but what about those who are too old to solicit candy or just don't want to? And how about the parents who prefer that their children stay in one place on the holiday?

In these cases and more, Halloween parties are a fun alternative. They give us a chance to dress in costume and have a good time without going door-to-door. But in order for a Halloween party to be successful, there must be some Halloween-themed activities. Here are five games to consider for your Halloween shindig:

1. Pumpkin bowling – Bowling is a fun game any time of the year. But using pumpkins instead of bowling balls gives it a Halloween flavor. For pins, use empty 2-liter soda bottles. If you like, paint them white and draw eyes and mouths on them so that they look like ghosts. Then you can either fill them with water and freeze them or add a cup of sand or pebbles to help them stand up. Provide a prize for every strike, or for high scores.

2. Bobbing for apples – This is one game that has been featured at Halloween parties for many years. Fill a large tub with water, and add several apples. Have participants hold their hands behind their backs and try to catch an apple in their mouths. This can get messy, so do it outdoors if possible and keep some towels on hand.

3. Pin the nose on the jack o'lantern – Draw a large jack o'lantern, omitting the nose. Cut a nose out of black construction paper, and place a thumbtack through it. Blindfold guests, spin them around a few times, and point them in the right direction. The one who gets the nose closest to the right position wins.

4. Wrap the mummy – For this game, you will need several rolls of toilet paper. Divide players into groups of three or four, and give each group a roll of toilet paper. Each group designates one person as the mummy, and the other players do the wrapping. The first group to wrap the mummy using the whole roll of toilet paper wins.

5. Doughnut on a string – This is another oldie but goodie. Hang donuts from the ceiling with string. Each player must attempt to eat the entire doughnut without using his hands. The first one to finish his doughnut wins. For best results (and least mess), use plain doughnuts.

These games are sure to liven up any Halloween party. Your guests will have a hair-raisingly good time!

The Ancient Origin of Halloween

Today, when we think of Halloween, we think of kids wearing costumes ringing doorbells and getting candy. We think of haunted houses and parties featuring spooky decorations and fun treats. But do you know how Halloween got started?

Halloween goes back some 2,000 years, and its origins have nothing to do with candy. It is actually based on the Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-en). This festival marked the transition from summer to winter, which was also regarded as the Celtic New Year. It was also something of a festival of the dead, as Celts believed that spirits roamed the earth on that night.

Like the modern Halloween, Samhain was celebrated on October 31st. But the activities undertaken on that night were quite different from those in which we participate today. The Celtic priests, called Druids, would build huge bonfires, and the people of the community gathered around them, throwing in crops and animal sacrifices. The Celts did wear costumes, which were initially made up of animal skins and heads, but later included masks designed to look like the faces of spirits. The purpose of the costume was to hide the wearer's identity from the spirits.

Legend has it that on this night, the presence of spirits made it easier for the Druids to predict the future. There were also certain rituals that anyone could perform in an effort to predict certain things. For instance, young, unmarried women were encouraged to place an apple under their pillows at bedtime so that they would dream of their future husbands. They would also comb their hair or eat an apple by candlelight while looking in a mirror in hopes that they would see the reflection of their future husband peeking over their shoulders.

The festival of Samhain was celebrated exclusively by the Celts. But when the Romans conquered most of their territory, Samhain was combined with two of the Romans' festivals. One of the festivals was Feralia, which was also a festival of the dead. The other festival honored Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit, whose symbol was the apple. This is believed to be the origin of the Halloween tradition of bobbing for apples.

The day after Halloween is currently known as All Saints' Day in most cultures. But in the days of Samhain, it was called All Hallows' Day. Eventually, the Romans began to call Samhain All Hallows' Eve. This was later shortened to the contraction “Hallow-e'en.” This was later simplified into today's spelling of Halloween.

The way we celebrate Halloween today is quite different from the way the Celts did it. Yet we can find traces of today's Halloween customs in those from ancient times. And by studying the holiday's origins, it's easy to see why Halloween is regarded as such a spooky and magical time.

Fall decor trends feature rustic charm with homespun elegance

(ARA) - The air is becoming crisp, colors are changing and cozy sweaters are starting to make their way back into your wardrobe's rotation. Autumn has arrived, and its natural beauty shines radiantly to warm the heart and inspire fresh crafting ideas.

"This fall season, warm colors, rich textures and creative details stand out," says Susan Atchison, manager of trend development for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. "Interest in homemade crafts and do-it-yourself decorating projects has never been stronger."

Clever crafts can help to create an autumn atmosphere that is simply elegant or pure fun for the family. When thinking about your fall DIY projects, try some of these ideas to capture your creative spirit when decorating your home or planning your next festive get-together:

1. Fabulous fall decor with versatility and value

Start by decorating your table with exceptionally affordable wool felt. Available in plenty of mix-and-match autumn colors, felt can be sewn, glued, colored or cut – the sky is the limit.

One easy option that provides a beautiful visual presentation is to cut out shapes on a felt cloth. For example, draw scattered maple leaves all over two different colors of felt and cut out the pieces. Layer the two felt squares together on your table for a windblown, just-fallen look.

What to do with the felt leaves you just cut out? Create a harvest-themed wreath with a classic yet contemporary look. Decorate an18-inch grapevine wreath with miniature lights, felt leaves and any other favorite fall items you have around your house or yard.

2. Classic adornments with surprising details

Need a great fall centerpiece? Rethink the classic pumpkin and try decorating with unique embellishments. For a beautiful fall-themed pumpkin, choose gold-toned wire and bend to create fun leaves and vines, attaching to the pumpkin's top. If you're looking for a Halloween theme, decorate the face of the pumpkin with masks and feathers to create different characters like a witch, owl or masquerader.

One way to save money and create a cherished piece of decor you can use year after year is to decorate a reusable pumpkin like Fun-Kins. These light artificial pumpkins are easy to work with and sure to become wonderful works of art.

3. Fall food made fantastically fun

Food is a must at any fall gathering. When the temperature cools, many of us are turning on our ovens to bake delightful must-taste treats. Rich and decadent brownies are tantalizing no matter what, but how about taking them a step further? Serve them kabob-style with marshmallows, fruit and a drizzle of icing to make them irresistible. Arrange on a tray for a beautiful presentation and watch them disappear in minutes.

If you're looking for a dessert with a theme, use uniquely shaped silicone baking pans. Try baking brownies in a jack-o’-lantern muffin pan. After they cool, pop them out, turn over and decorate their faces.

4. Double your fun with homemade costumes

If a costume party is in your future, you'll need something fun that stands out. The homemade costume is officially back and allows your creativity to shine. Brainstorm with your child to figure out what you both want to be for Halloween and then hit up a craft store to get the necessary supplies. What's the newest trend for costumes? Two-in-one options that have the ability to quickly convert from one character to the next.

For example, a sparkling dress can serve as the base for both an astronaut and a robot. With simple accessories and removable changes, your little girl can attend one party as a robot and then zoom off to another as an astronaut. Plus this is a fun alternative to traditional girls' costumes without losing the glitz. Reversible options also work for double-duty costumes. For example, try keeping one side of a cape black so you can be a witch and the other side gold. Add a feathered boa and you can become a queen in an instant.

For more information and to get supplies for creating homemade fall projects, visit http://www.joann.com/fallfaces.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Spongebob Halloween Fun!

All Treats Day for SpongeBob in Junction City KS











Spongebob with flashlights at Milford KS

Go Green for Halloween

(ARA) - Halloween is the season of dress-up, make-believe and fun. Great preparation goes into buying costumes that transform young children, teens, college students and even adults into an array of characters including ghosts, goblins, witches, devils, superheroes and storybook characters. It’s a time when it’s okay to be something or someone other than yourself for a day.

This year some thrill seekers may want to consider Halloween alternatives to provide a new twist on an age-old event. During this season of green witches, slime and other spooky characters, going green for Halloween can extend the positive theme of protecting the environment even during this season of dress-up and make believe.

“Halloween is a perfect time to demonstrate commitment and concern for the environment,” says Dr. Debra Huntley, program chair of the BA Psychology Program at the Argosy University Twin Cities Campus. “Protecting our environment is a year-round effort that is getting increasing attention from people from all age groups.”

While the traditional ritual of trick or treat has its place, going green for Halloween is an opportunity to host a costume party and serve treats without food coloring or preservatives. Guests can enjoy healthier snacks like popcorn balls with salt and butter substitutes or caramel apples and fudge with sugar substitutes. The host can serve juice drinks, flavored water and apple cider instead of sugary soft drinks that are loaded with calories and caffeine. By preparing treats, money and the environment are also protected by not using extra packaging and wrappers. And with fall harvests, it’s a great time to shop at a local farmer’s market for nutritious, local snacks. Buying locally is not only a healthy choice, but patronizes vendors that are nearby as opposed to those that require resources to transport.

Going green for Halloween can also mean deciding not to drive that evening or identifying activities and events closer to home to reduce driving time and air pollutants from vehicles.

Dr. Huntley explains some youth or college-age groups may want to share the green Halloween spirit while lifting the spirits of senior living and nursing home residents. They can visit residents and share wholesome snacks, play music and lead a ghoulish and festive dance around the facility. In addition to enjoying the costumes, the residents can enjoy healthful snacks and the afternoon with friendly little ghosts and characters.

For those partaking in traditional trick or treat activities, Dr. Huntley encourages everyone to remember it is important to maintain safety and caution to ensure this is a fun and safe experience for young trick or treaters. Children should be accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible older sibling. Costumes should not be too tight or obscure vision. Children must be encouraged to cross streets carefully and always with a traffic light when present. Trick or treat in familiar neighborhoods or at homes with whom you are acquainted. Many malls and shopping centers enjoy hosting trick or treaters as a fun community service initiative. Often schools help promote safety by encouraging teachers to let students trick or treat at various classrooms in the building. Some schools host a costume parade in the building or a fun assembly.

Whatever you decide, make this Halloween season a fun, safe, nutritious and tasty experience for all participants.

Courtesy of ARAcontent