Hollywood Halloween Tips

Photo Courtesy of amuchdeeperlevel.blogspot.com

It's been quite a while since my last post, but I can always count on Halloween to stir up a little creative inspiration. Candy and costumes were my favorite parts of the sometimes misunderstood holiday, but Halloween kid movies were a close third. Here are a few tips I shall carry with me forever:

The Witches: Don't accept candy from strangers. You could end up like this guy. ^ Poor Bruno.

Casper: If your house is haunted, just make friends with the ghosts. 

Ernest Scared Stupid: Milk does a body good AND defeats nasty trolls.

The Nightmare Before Christmas: DON'T mess with Christmas. That being said, there's a time and a place for every holiday. Department stores, take note.

And, of course, if we learned nothing else, every 90s kid knows, NEVER, EVER light the black flame candle. (Although, it could be fun.)

GIF courtesy of redletterdayeblog.wordpress.com

I know there are plenty more out there. Share your favorite Halloween movie tip in the comments and review the tips below for a safe Halloween.

• Look for flame-resistant costumes.
• Plan the Trick-or-Treat route and make sure adults know where children are going. A responsible adult should accompany young children.
• Make sure the Trick-or-Treaters have a flashlight. Add reflective tape to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags. Have everyone wear light-colored clothing in order to be seen.
• Visit only the homes with a porch light on. Accept treats at the door. Never go inside.
• Instead of masks, which can make it hard to see, consider using face paint.
• Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic. Look both ways before crossing the street and cross only at the corner. Don’t cut across yards or use alleys. Don’t cross between parked cars.
• Be cautious around pets and any other animals.

WELCOMING GHOSTS AND GOBLINS 

• Sweep leaves from the sidewalks and steps.
• Clear the porch or front yard of any obstacles that a child could trip over.
• Restrain any household pets.
• Use a glow stick instead of a candle in the jack-o-lantern to avoid a fire hazard.

LEARN WHAT TO DO 

Download the free American Red Cross First Aid App. Features of the app include:

• Step-by-step instructions on how to handle the most common first aid situations;
• Videos and animations that  make the skills easy to learn;
• Safety and preparedness tips; and
• Quizzes that users can take to earn badges which they can share with their friends on social media. 

People can find all of the Red Cross apps in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store by searching for American Red Cross or by going to redcross.org/mobileapps.

Trick or Treat!

Stop by our Disaster Preparedness table at Mall of St. Matthews and Oxmoor Center Mall from 5-7 p.m. Saturday night. My fellow AmeriCorps members and I will be handing out Red Cross bags promoting both Halloween and Fire Safety during the malls store-to-store trick-or-treat. Each bag comes with a fire preparedness sheet, Red Cross magnet, 9 volt battery, Halloween safety tips and a few pieces of candy, of course. I hope to see you there!

In the meantime, here are some fun tips to follow this Halloween.

1. Map out the route that you plan to roam, so adults are assured you will find your way home!
2. From the bravest of superheroes to the noblest of knights, everyone should remember to bring their flashlights!
3. If you visit a house where a stranger resides, accept treats at the door and, please, don’t go inside.
4. When you get ready to put on your disguise, use face paint instead of masks, which will cover your eyes.
5. Always remember, before you embark, to wear light-colored clothing to be seen in the dark! (And remember to use reflective tape, even on bikes, skateboards and brooms!)
6. Whether you walk, slither or sneak, do it on the sidewalks and not in the street.
7. As you roam through the neighborhood collecting your treats, please look both ways before crossing the street! (And cross from the corner!)
8. Wigs, capes and costumes are flammable attire, so avoid open flames to prevent a fire!
9. Use a glow stick instead of a candle so your jack-o-lantern isn’t a safety gamble!
10. You may fly on a broom or a space ship from Mars, but please be on the lookout for drivers in cars! (And don’t hide between parked vehicles).
11. Monsters and zombies should stay off the lawn, and only visit homes with their porch lights turned on!
12. You may be dressed as a werewolf, a cat or a frog, but be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.
13. Have a grown-up inspect your candy when you’re done trick-or-treating to remove open packages and choking hazards before eating.