Halloween is here – YEAH!! Time for decorating, dressing up and trick-or-treating, activities that every child enjoys.

 PUMPKIN CARVING TIPS

Good carving starts with the right pumpkin. Choose one that is fresh (with a sturdy stem & no bruises) and that has a flat bottom.

Cut out the lid – a boning knife works best. Cut on an angle (not straight up and down), so the lid won’t drop inside the pumpkin when you replace it).

Remove the pulp. You can buy a special “claw” but an ice-cream scoop will do. Thin the inner wall of the “face” area to 1 1/4 inch thick, so it will be easier to pierce the shell.

When you’re ready to carve the features, hold the pumpkin in your lap so it’s gazing up at you. Don’t cut on a slant; clean up-and-down slices to look best. To make intricate designs, try using a small saw.

Make a tongue out of discarded piece of pumpkin shell.

Keep your pumpkin fresh. Spread petroleum jelly on the cut edges to seal in moisture. If your pumpkin still shrivels a few days later, revive it with a facedown soak in cold water for up to eight hours.

If you like to leave the lid on while the candle is lit, create a chimney. First, leave the lid on for a few minutes while the candle burns, them make a small hole where the lid has blackened.

Sprinkle a little cinnamon inside the lid. When you light the candle, your jack-o’-lantern will smell like a pumpkin pie.

 How do you mend a broken jack-o-lantern? With a pumpkin patch

Why do jack-o-lanterns have stupid smiles on their faces? You’d have a stupid smile too if you just had all your brains scooped out.

 TRICK-OR-TREATING SAFETY TIPS

 ● Carry a bright flashlight to illuminate sidewalks, steps and paths. Check batteries before leaving. Make it more fun for the kids and use glow sticks.

● Make sure the little ones use the restroom before venturing out.

● Serve your kids a filling meal before trick-or-treating and they won’t be tempted to eat any candy before you get a chance to inspect it.

● Be careful when crossing the streets. Make sure to look in both directions and cross only at corners or crosswalks. Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters.

● Try to remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edges of the roadway facing traffic. Never cut across yards or use alleys. .

● Know the route your kids are taking if you aren’t going with them. Let them know they are to check in with you every hour, by phone or by stopping back at home. Give them a time to be home by. Make sure they know how important it is to call if something happens and if they are doing to be delayed in returning home on time.

● Make sure to only go to homes with a porch light on and that kids know to never enter a home or car for a treat.

● Wear comfortable walking shoes.

● Stay away from animals you do not know. Even be careful of those you do know as Halloween can be a bit traumatic for animals.

● Carry a spare Halloween bag just in case.

 Halloween Trivia

 Orange and black are Halloween colors because orange is associated with the Fall harvest and black is associated with darkness and death.

Jack o’ Lanterns originated in Ireland where people placed candles in hollowed-out turnips to keep away spirits and ghosts on the Samhain holiday.

Halloween candy sales average about 2 billion dollars annually in the United States.

Chocolate candy bars top the list as the most popular candy for trick-or-treaters with Snickers #1.

Halloween is the 2nd most commercially successful holiday, with Christmas being the first.

 Halloween Movie Trivia

 1. What is the name of the movie that stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as 3 sister witches?

 2. What is the name of the villain in “Halloween”?

 3. How many times do you say “Beetlejuice” to make him appear?

 4. Who waits to be visited by The Great Pumpkin?

 5. How many “Halloween” movies have been made?

 6. Halloweentown is from what movie?

 We hope that everyone has a great and safe Halloween!

● Carry a bright flashlight to illuminate sidewalks, steps and paths. Check batteries before leaving. Make it more fun for the kids and use glow sticks.

● Make sure the little ones use the restroom before venturing out.

● Always walk, do not run. You can slip and fall down. Rollerblades are usually not a good idea.

● Stay on the sidewalks. Cross the street at corners.

● Because one car stops, doesn’t mean others will. Make sure to pay attention to cars. Do not assume you have the right of way.

● Trick-or-Treat only in familiar neighborhoods.

● Do not cut across strangers yards or driveways.

● Wear comfortable walking shoes.

● Set a time for older kids to return home. Make sure they have a cell phone with them before leaving.

● Instruct your kids not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by you.

● Stay away from animals you do not know. Even be careful of those you do know as Halloween can be a bit traumatic for animals.

● Carry a spare Halloween bag just in case.

 We hope that everyone has a great and safe Halloween!