Halloween Safety

Frank, the religious objection to Halloween is something that once was vague here. We had some priests who preached against participation, while others saw no objection. Then, a pastoral letter from the archbishop settled the issue. He denounced honoring Satan, but wrote Halloween fun was fine. I assume he meant satanic parties were not allowed, and satanic costumes could be problematic. As for costumes, I suppose it is like political costumes. One can honor or ridicule with the same costume, so it may go to intent.
I avoid satanic costumes in my articles.
In some places October 30 is called Devil's Night, and arson is the way it is celebrated. I am happy we do not have that practice here.
As for trick or treat, we get escorted, costumed children from dusk until 8 p. m., then teens prowl the streets. Turning off the lights indicates we are no longer participating, which is about 8 p. m. or when we run out of things to hand to the children. Candy is a problem, for I would eat much too much while handing it out.
The only vandalism I have had was three smashed pumpkin bags, leaf bags that look like pumpkins and are filled with old paper. However, I have seen broken pumpkins in front of a few homes. Just minor pranks are not worth fearing.

On November the Fifth we have Bonfire Night, when we recall the thwarting of Guy Fawkes' attempt to blow up parliament. The bonfires were transferred to that night from their original time at Hallowe'en to transform them from a pagan occasion into an anti-Catholic festival at the instigation of Puritans and Protestant Fundamentalists. While we used to have fireworks that night, my mother would never let us "burn a guy" [an effigy of Guy Fawkes] as she did not like the idea of celebrating a cruel execution. This is one festival that I have dropped.

Here, some fundamentalist religions oppose Halloween, but the Catholic Church has no objection, with the condition that one does not honor the devil. That seems to imply no party where satanic practices occur, or costumes to place him in esteem. In fact, Halloween is practiced in many parochial schools with trunk or treat, where parents set up in the school yard and pass out candy to the children making the rounds. This limits who is passing out the candy. It also keeps the children out of traffic. The local episcopal churches, at least some of them, make money selling pumpkins before Halloween, and hey are the American version of the Anglican church.

I have had little trouble at Hallowe'en, but where I live small children are escorted round for sweets.Once I used to refuse on religious grounds, but then I realized that refusal was counter-productive, so now I give small chocolates and jellies.

Trick or Treat was not really an English custom, but a central European one. I don't recall it from my childhood days/ It came into English culture from American films.

I have had little vandalism, but I bring in decorations after the little children have finished, about 8 p. m.

We don't really do that much for Halloween. In UK , local children see it as an opportunity for dreadful vandalism and set fire to bins , pelt people with paint, eggs, demand money from old people. It's a nightmare.

I do like your ideas for lighting the paths safely though. I too am concerned about the sweets that children are given. I tend to give satsumas.

Thanks. There are so many things to consider.

What a great article on being safe during this holiday. Loved your selections.