Halloween Safety Tips

Happy Halloween! Are you ready for a bunch of eager ghouls and goblins to fill the streets tonight on a mission to get as much candy as possible? How about the costumed partygoers that will line the streets once the children are fast asleep in a sugar-induced coma? Seeing as Halloween falls on a Friday this year, I’ve compiled some helpful tips to make sure everyone has fun and stays safe during trick or treating and the parties afterward.

Trick or Treating Dos:

Walk Safely – Ensure that you and your children cross the street at corner in well-lit areas. Teach the children that they must not dart out in front of cars.

Bring an Adult – Children under the age of 12 should be accompanied by an adult.

Choose a Safe Costume – Make sure that the costume is either light coloured or has some sort of reflective tape on it so your child is visible to oncoming traffic. Choose face makeup instead of masks whenever possible so your child has a full view that is unobstructed.

Halloween for Adults:

Take Extra Caution – Since Halloween falls on a Friday this year, the parties will be plentiful. Make sure that you drive extra safely in areas where there are bars or parties going on, in case somebody darts out into traffic.

Leave your Car at Home – If you’re attending a party or heading to the bar for a fun-filled night of revelry, it’s a great idea to just leave your car at home to avoid any less fortunate situations after the party. Taking a taxi is a smart option, or if you happen to drive your vehicle to the party, there are companies that will drive your car home for you like Responsible Choice.

For a festive treat, try my friend Rinat’s Pumpkin Bread recipe!

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups flour (can be white or whole wheat)
• 1.5 tsp baking powder
• 1.5 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp nutmeg
• 3/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1.5 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 small can pure pumpkin purée (.15 OZ, 425 g)
• 3/4 cup water
• raisins or chopped nuts

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix all wet ingredients. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined, mix in nuts or raisins if desired. Bake at 350 degrees for about 50 minutes, until toothpick comes out completely dry. Let cool.