Don’t get spooked by Halloween

Although Halloween is not a huge celebration in South Africa, many residents will be out and about on October 31 to have Halloween fun.

Here are some Halloween safety tips from Fidelity ADT to keep you and your family safe on this spooky night.

•             Light up the night: Make your children easily visible with torches or glow sticks.

•             Always ensure children are accompanied by an adult or older sibling: Set a time limit for your children to trick-or-treat. Designate a specific route for them to take. It is advisable to never allow young children to trick or treat on their own. Always ensure they are accompanied by an older sibling or adult. Be alert for any speeding cars in the suburb.

•             Never allow children to enter a stranger’s house:  There is no kind of treat that is worth a security risk so do not allow your children to enter a stranger’s home, no matter how appealing the offer or Halloween display.

•             Check what kind of treats your children have received before allowing them to eat them.

•             Host your own Halloween: If you want to be able to keep your home and children safe at the same time, consider having your own Halloween party. This will allow you to choose what your children get for Halloween and who they are mixing with.  While celebrating, having a braai or trick or treating, always keep your remote panic with you, ensure your perimeter is secure and do not let strangers into your home.

•             Arm your security system:  The excitement of getting ready for Halloween plans may make us forget to take simple safety precautions. Make sure to arm your security system and lock doors and windows before you leave your home.

•             Light Up Your Home: Whether or not you have plans to go out on Halloween night, be sure to keep your home well lit. Turn on a few lights around your home to give the impression that someone is home and still awake. Additionally, well-lit areas outside your home will deter potential intruders or malicious pranksters by eliminating hiding places caused by shadows.

• Halloween is an annual holiday celebrated each year on October 31, and Halloween 2019 occurs on Thursday, October 31. It originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints; soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.