Make Halloween Safe

Follow these tips for a safe Halloween.

Kids:

• Bring a torch.

• Walk, don’t run.

• Use the pavement.

• Don’t cut across gardens or driveways.

• Obey traffic signals.

• Don’t trick-or-treat in unfamiliar neighbourhoods or areas; approach only houses that are lit.

• Bring a watch that you can see in the dark.

• Avoid tripping by wearing costumes that don’t drag and shoes that fit.

• Take caution when walking while wearing a mask.

• Don’t carry nonflexible knives, swords or other dangerous props.

• Wear reflective markings or tape on costumes so motorists can see you.

• Avoid unfamiliar pets.

• Carry change to phone home in an emergency.

Parents:

• Provide dinner before trick-or-treating.

• Accompany young children. Don’t allow them to trick-or-treat alone.

• Look for flame-proof costumes.

• Know where older children are trick-or-treating.

• Inspect sweets for tampering.

• Examine sweet wrappers; discard anything suspect.

Homeowners:

• Remove from your garden any ladders, hoses, dog leashes, flowerpots or other items on which children could trip.

• Keep pets inside; they may bite if frightened by the noise and commotion.

• If using real candles in a lantern, place pumpkin away from where trick-or-treaters may stand.

• Place paper or cloth decorations away from any candle flame.

• Provide healthy alternatives to sweets, like fruit rolls, miniboxes of raisins or popcorn.

• Consider offering non-food treats like pencils, stickers, coins or erasers.

Drivers:

• Proceed slowly all evening.

• Have designated drivers for adult parties.

— Adapted from The Children Safety Zone website
 

Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night Marks A Plot Foiled
 

Terrorism dates back to many, many centuries ago. Even the Catholics tried terroristic tactics. In 1604, tired of the increasingly harsh laws against their religion, a group of Catholics decided to blow up Parliament on opening day the Fifth of November, 1605. 

Robert Catesby led the insurrection. He suggested the plot to a few of his close friends. One of them, Thomas Percy, rented a cellar underneath the House of Lords where they stored 36 barrels of gunpowder covered with iron bars and firewood. The conspirators hoped to kill the king, the Prince of Wales and members of Parliament who were passing the laws against the Catholic religion. 

When the group realized innocent people would be killed, certain members started to change their minds about going forward. One man, possibly Francis Tresham, even sent a warning letter to Lord Monteagle, Tresham’s brother-in-law. The note told him not to attend the opening day of Parliament. 

The letter reached King James I, who set out to stop the plot. The King’s men found one of the conspirators, Guy Fawkes, with the gunpowder when they stormed the cellar the morning of the Fifth of November. He was caught, tortured and executed. The other conspirators were seized and were either killed, imprisoned or executed. Unfortunately, the plot had the opposite of the intended effect and the laws against the Catholics only increased in severity. 

The Fifth of November is now known as Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night. The celebrations each year include fireworks, bonfires and the burning of Guy’s effigy.