Nearly Fifty Thousand acres, 47,800 to be precise, approximately Americans spent $148.9 million in 2012 on harvested Acres of pumpkins, Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service. That is an additional $35 million American dollars spent on harvested pumpkins than in 2011, just one year prior. With so many Americans participating in the Halloween festivities it is no surprise trick or tr-eaters are twice as likely to get hit by a car and killed during Halloween as opposed to any other time of the year.
Samhain celebrated on October 31 in the days o f ancient Celts , was their festival of the dead and is credited with creation of the Halloween we know today . Not only did it mark the end harvest season it also was a day believed to let lost souls of loved ones walk with the living for that day. Roman festival of the dead would alter the Celtics festival of the dead with their own, a result of the roman conquest. Both took place in October . When religion stepped in with the attempt to make it a all saints day celebration on Nov 1 our halloween was shaping. It was at that time people would call it all-hallows and the night before referred to as all-hallows-eve. The celebration is not recognized in the us as a ‘holiday’ but you wouldn’t guess that with all the revenue it procreates. Halloween is celebrated all over the world. Much of the same theories and traditions are similar . It is a day of letting go spring is over and winter is close. The element of trick or treating was an evolved tradition Poor people would be allowed to go from door to door asking for food or money offerings. this would turn into some wearing discuses for unanimity . it slowly grew in popularity when in the early 1930’s costumes would begin to show up in markets . The food and money turned from nutritious to candy. and now it is a highly favored treat day with a lot of outside activity. here are some basic tips to help keep you family and friends safe.
- Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.
- Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
- Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
- WALK and don’t run from house to house
- Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
- Never cut across yards or use alleys.
- A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.
- Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.
- © 10/12 American Academy of Pediatrics http://www.aap.org