Halloween is a fun time for most, but not necessarily so for animals. There are several things to consider for this holiday to keep your pets safe and healthy. I’m sure you’ve heard all the horror stories about the latest batch of Satanists or witches who find that Halloween is the perfect time to do a little sacrificial action. Unfortunately, this is all too true and every year some unsuspecting black cat is a victim of this kind of activity. Let’s look at some guidelines to help keep Fluffy out of harm’s way!

• If you have a black cat, keep him or her very secure in the house for the entire holiday, and preferably the days leading up to it. Many pet stores and animal shelters refuse to sell or deliver black cats during the month of October, much to their credit. Just to be on the safe side, it’s not just black cats that have been victimized. A word to the wise…
• Dogs also should be cooped up. If not allowed to be inside, at least keep them far away from the action, as they can easily become excited and run after trick-or-treaters, causing many scenarios you’d rather not deal with. Keep them away from the front yard fences, as kids in strange costumes will actually get them very agitated and may try and provoke them further.
• If you decide that your dog or cat (or other animal) is to be part of the proceedings, then keep in mind that some animals like to get dressed up; some don’t. You’ll know the difference very quickly. Also, remember that pets have tails that they don’t always monitor so well. These can get involved with any lit candles you have out or come across, so beware.
• Be very aware of the kids treats that your pets will want to ingest. Chocolate is very toxic to dogs and cats, and the wrapping they come in won’t do them any good either. No matter how nicely they sit up and beg, don’t give in!
• Make sure your animal has a current ID. If you open the door and he darts out into the night, it’ll make it easier on someone who finds him to give you a call.
• If you have a party at your home, make sure the pets aren’t invited. Put them in a secure room or some other place. All these strange sights will only cause them confusion, and someone may end up getting bitten. Better safe than sorry.
• If you choose not to heed the above, and someone tries to give your pet some holiday cheer, kindly ask them to leave the party. Alcohol and animals don’t mix well; it can kill them, so it’s altogether a better decision to lose a friend for the night than an animal forever.

Halloween can be a night of great fun, but not for pets. Make sure you do what you can to safeguard your pets for another day!

Making Halloween a safe and fun holiday is something that is definitely within possibility. Despite all the horror stories you hear every year, (which should all be listened to and heeded,) the vast majority of Halloween outings, parties and just general trick or treating almost always goes off without a hitch, due in large part to the safeguards we’ll be discussing here. Make sure to use these!

• To prepare for the onslaught of goblins and ghouls onto your property, make sure the walkways are free from tripping hazards, and that your vicious guard dogs are properly restrained. Make sure the path is well-lit, even if every part of your being is longing for the dark haunted look. (This beats the look of a subpoena any day) Don’t use real candles on your walkways, as you don’t know who is wearing a paper bag costume and might become a large candle! Fill in or cover any holes or projects before someone falls in!
• Tell your own children to bring home all candy for inspection before consumption. One good tip I heard is to give your child some of their favorites before they leave the house so they’ll have something to much on until you can look at their loot! This is sometimes the hardest thing to enforce, but you need to try.
• Discreetly toss any homemade treats or fruit that you don’t know EXACTLY who it came from. It’s just not worth it. It’s too hard to find a pinhole in an apple or orange, and you’ll  likely not have a portable x-ray machine lying around, so when in doubt, throw it out!
• Make sure your children’s costumes are flame retardant, and that they don’t pose any tripping, or line of sight problems. You might even want to affix some reflective tape to the edges of the costumes, their candy bag, or even their shoes. Many times these costumes are black or very dark which makes them even harder to spot at night.
• Make sure to instruct your children not to go to ANY vehicles during their trick or treating. You don’t know who may be driving through this neighborhood. This is one of the newer, more evil trends.
• If at all possible accompany your children, and stick to local neighborhoods you know well. Avoid back streets and alleyways, staying on sidewalks and making sure to follow the rules of the road, and be sure to cross at crosswalks.
• Carry a working flashlight.
• Do frequent head counts to make sure you have all the kids on your group.
• Make sure any props your kids are using are non-lethal, and don’t pose a problem if someone gets “accidentally stabbed”.

Making sure we all have a safe and fun Halloween this year is all of our responsibilities. Take these guidelines seriously and you’ll be way ahead of everyone else. And be sure not to forget to have a great deal of fun while you’re at it!

It’s every parent’s worst nightmare, having tainted candy given to your trick-or-treater and not catching it before it does irreparable harm to the youngster. Every year we hear new horror stories about how this heinous practice has ruined not only someone’s night, but perhaps their future.

The picture isn’t all bleak, however. There are safeguards you can put in place as parents to ensure your child not only has a great time, but comes home unharmed. Here are some great Halloween candy safety tips to heed and implement this year. Make sure your child understands and follows them to the letter.

• Don’t eat anything that has a loose wrapper. Many times if a wrapper is suspect, the candy inside is also. Tightly wrapped packaging is a good sign that someone hasn’t unwrapped and re-wrapped the candy, something that would be hard to do well.
• Give your child a hearty meal BEFORE they go out trick or treating. They won’t be as hungry and less likely to gorge themselves on everything they collect along the way.
• I inspect all candy before I let my child eat it. I know that this may be the hardest to enforce, but these days it sadly may be necessary. You might do a variation on this and allow them to eat from certain house of friends that you know and trust. Work this out beforehand, however. Don’t leave it up to the child.
• Try not to give out any choking hazards such as gum, small toys, hard candies and the like to very small children. They’re all out there laughing and running, having a good time, and it’s all too easy to… well, you get the picture.
• Check all fruits and homemade treats for punctures and cuts. Every year we hear stories of apples and other fruits laden with pins, needles and razor blades. Inspect these treats carefully.
• To protect yourself and maybe start a new trend in your neighborhood, maybe affix some of those free address labels you get tons of in the mail to the candy you give out, taking responsibility and helping out your own neighbors peace of mind.
• Ask your children to notice who gives them what. Now, I know this won’t be 100% accurate or even often remembered, but planting a seed ion their heads can work wonders. Try not to do it in a frightening manner, maybe phrasing it as an attempt to be able to thank them later.
• The number one, unbreakable, highest of high, most important rule of Halloween candy safety is….WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT! If this one was followed to the letter, 99% of all Halloween candy safety problems would disappear.
• Try to limit your trick-or-treating to the late afternoon or early evening hours, and if at all possible, accompany your children.

I hope this list has given you something to think about. Please use it and be sure to have fun!