RUN THRU THE LEAVES
Whether running is your hobby or your lifestyle, we have what you need to get the most out of your hard work.
PUBLISHER
Jocelyn Engle
CONTRIBUTING
WRITER
Jeff Falk
COVER DESIGN
Ashley Kendrick Kennedy
CREATIVE
Melissa McKee
ADVERTISING SALES MANAGERS
Greg March
Randy Miller
Publication and distribution of Lancaster Family magazine does not equate to an endorsement of information, products or services. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or editorial that is in conflict with the publication’s standards. All rights reserved. ©2024
Four ways to achieve a greater work-life balance
Individuals have to juggle many different responsibilities on a daily basis. Those with full- or part-time jobs; children, spouses or partners; or aging family members who require assistance will often find they are pulled in different directions. In many cases, work takes priority over family time because people rely on their jobs for the income that funds their lifestyles. Rather than jeopardizing that income, some individuals may make time concessions that favor employment over personal relationships and family time. Recent data indicates that many people are trapped in unhealthy work-life balances and cannot find the time to unwind and enjoy themselves. The e-commerce company Groupon asked 2,000 Americans about stress at work, and 60% indicated that pressures and responsibilities of the workplace and home life do not have boundaries. Learning to balance work and life better may come from following a few tips.
Limit distractions as much as possible. Distractions pull attention away from tasks, which can make it harder to complete jobs on time. Schedule tasks that require your utmost concentration when other people are not around. Perhaps this means coming into the office during off-peak hours or waiting until a spouse or the kids go to work or school before you start on things that require greater concentration. Some people may find that they prefer to wake up a little earlier and have quiet time to get things done while others are asleep.
Figure out your home priorities.
Schedule your home priorities just as you would work meetings and other responsibilities. While you may not be able to attend every sports practice or game, make it a point to get to as many events as possible. Put it in the calendar or planner as a must-do.
Maximize your paid time off.
Chances are you are entitled to a certain number of days off. Do not squander the opportunity to use these days. Map out priorities for the next couple of months and see when your time away from work will be needed. Then utilize paid time off for these events as well as vacations.
End work at a certain time.
It’s easy to let work infiltrate home time, especially for those who are remote workers. Set a distinct end time for the job, and reinforce it by turning off your computer or other devices, or physically lock the door to your office. Schedule tasks that are important to you directly after work, so you won’t be tempted to continue working.
Finding work-life balance can take time and require breaking established habits, but it is one way to reduce stress and feel more personally satisfied.
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Take to the trails
Lebanon County walks the walk
BY JEFF FALK
Walking is easy. Put one foot in front of the other and keep going.
Walking increases your heart rate. Walking can enhance fitness. General movement can improve flexibility and muscle health.
The mere act of getting outdoors
can decrease stress and enhance mood. Sunlight can provide a boost to the immune system.
Walking is a key component of a healthy lifestyle.
Home to an intricate system of trails and facilities, Lebanon County affords its residents and visitors countless and varied opportunities to simply get out and walk. A
59-year-old resident of Manheim, Sheila Peters drives a short distance to Lebanon County to walk.
“I do it to lose weight,” said Peters of her walking habit. “For me, it’s all about calorie burning. As far as mental health and physical health, it’s what I need. As you get older, you’ve got to keep moving. That’s why I do it, and because it’s fun.”
“If it’s nice and I choose to skip a day, I feel guilty,” Peters added. “For me, (walking) has to be done. It’s the first thing I do in the morning.”
Peters and her boxer, Tegan, walk about 8 miles in three hours almost every day. It’s a routine she’s been following for 12 years or so, one that more often than not starts on the Mount Gretna Spur, a quarter-mile, southern offshoot of the wildly popular Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails.
“(Walking) makes me relaxed, very calm,” said Peters. “It just makes you feel good. Some people like to ride. Some people like to run. It probably makes me feel the same way as it makes them feel.”
“When I’m walking, I try not to think about anything in general,” continued Peters. “This is a place I come to clear my mind. It’s almost like a vacation from the day-to-day things.”
The popularity of walking in Lebanon County has mirrored the evolution of Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails, an ambitious, multimillion-dollar project undertaken by a group of dedicated volunteers bent on turning 32 miles of one-time railroad bed into the locale’s premier outdoor recreational facility for bicyclists, runners, horseback riders and walkers. The initial part of the 10-phase project began with the Colebrook-to-Mount Gretna phase in 1996, and when the Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails is completed, it will link Lancaster County in the south with Schuylkill County in the north.
“It’s almost become commonplace, the way people refer to it,” said John Wengert, the president of Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails. “Everybody knows the name, what it means, where to go. At the beginning, it wasn’t like that. I’d say it’s almost become an institution in the community, like some of the well-known destinations in the county.”
While usage is difficult to track, officials estimate that Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails hosts about 150,000 user days - one person visiting the trail one time - a year.
“I think it’s creating the demand,” said Wengert. “I think people are walking who wouldn’t be walking just because it’s there. It goes past so many developments, and I’m not sure those people would’ve gotten in their cars and went for a walk.”
While Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails might be the most popular walking destination in Lebanon County, it is far from the only one. Peters enjoys the down-to-earth trails at Memorial Lake State Park at Fort Indiantown Gap and Swatara State Park in Lickdale.
The dirt trail at Memorial Lake encircles the scenic body of water and offers individuals and families opportunities to view wildlife native to the area. The series of trails at Swatara Park is even more rustic, but still a great place for families to get outside and enjoy the outdoors.
Sheila Peters of Manheim and her boxer, Tegan, are dedicated walkers in Lebanon County, sometimes walking up to three hours and 8 miles at a time. Peters and Tegan do the majority of their Lebanon County walking on Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails, beginning in Mount Gretna (pictured), but they also enjoy trails at Memorial Lake State Park and Swatara State Park.
The Mount Gretna Spur is one of Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails’ four extensions.
“They are fantastic places to walk,” said Peters. “You have the game lands, and it’s beautiful back in there. If you get bored with one place, sometimes you can go to another. I like it because it’s in the woods. I prefer to walk in the woods. I go to the woods 'to lose my mind and find my soul,'” she added, referencing a popular quote by naturalist John Muir.
“I’m known for saying, ‘Good morning’ or ‘Have a nice day,’” Peters continued. “Ninety-nine percent of the people I meet are just great people out enjoying the great outdoors. I can’t tell you how many friends I’ve met. It’s a great little community, no matter where you go. ... It’s almost like a family.”
Many municipal parks in Lebanon County feature
Stephanie Bowie of Lebanon walks on the macadam trail at South Hills Park in South Lebanon about four times a week.
their own well-used walking trails, places like South Hills Park in South Lebanon, Gloninger Woods Park in North Cornwall Township, Jackson Recreational Park in Myerstown, Union Canal Tunnel South Park in North Lebanon Township, Quittie Creek Nature Park in Annville, Lions Lake Park in North Lebanon Township and Stoever’s Dam Park in the city of Lebanon.
All of those parks can serve as resources for families seeking to spend quality time together outside, engaging in activities like bird watching, scavenger hunts and outdoor games.
“I’ve always been fairly active,” said Peters. “I was raised on a farm; you couldn’t sit still there. I think you need to find your joy in what you like to do. I’m just living life and loving it.”
Cornwall is one of Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails’ most heavily used trailheads.
Nothing represents the autumnal season like colorful pumpkins Nothing represents the autumnal season like colorful pumpkins
BY JEFF FALK
To the ball, Cinderella rode in a carriage made from a pumpkin by the magic of her fairy godmother. In Sleepy Hollow, the headless horseman was said to carry a pumpkin as a replacement for his missing skull. Carved pumpkins were supposed to scare away the evil spirits on the one day when the dead were said to walk the earth, Halloween.
Pumpkins have long been associated with lore, the fall harvest and the feast of Halloween. Pumpkins are to the Halloween holiday as pine trees are to Christmas, as fireworks are to the Fourth of July, as turkey is to Thanksgiving.
Relatively inexpensive, hardy and easy to grow, bright-orange pumpkins are the perfect autumnal poster child for the bounty produced by God’s green earth.
Kevin Heagy has his own pumpkin tale to tell. It’s a story of tradition and growth and of a fruit that’s both decorative and edible.
“With pumpkins, the more unique they are, the faster they sell,” said Heagy. “With produce, it almost has to be pretty for people to buy it. But with pumpkins, it’s almost like the uglier the better. People like the odd shapes and the different colors. Some people like stacking pumpkins because they’re unique.”
The 28-year-old Heagy has been the owner of Heagy’s Pumpkins and Produce, 917 Kochenderfer Road, Lebanon, for 10 years now. Located down a modest lane in North Lebanon Township, the business is a cross between a 250-acre family farm and a ginormous produce stand.
Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes can make the fall and Halloween seasons more festive.
Once the star attraction, pumpkins still play a major role in Heagy’s Pumpkins and Produce’s financial success. But they now share the spotlight with mums and their early-season brethren, asparagus, strawberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, cantaloupe and watermelon.
“(Pumpkins) used to be our biggest crop,” said Heagy. “We started out doing pumpkins and then got into produce to make it a yearly income.”
Heagy peddles three distinct types of pumpkins: neck pumpkins, traditional face pumpkins and the increasingly popular stacking pumpkins. Neck pumpkins are used in the baking of pumpkin pies, and the orange face pumpkins serve as blank canvases for Halloween artists, while stacking pumpkins come in white, red and blue variations.
Seemingly no two pumpkins are the same.
“With face pumpkins, people are going to use them to carve,” said Heagy. “The stacking pumpkins are used to decorate. People will put them on their porches just to give them color.”
And that decorating can be fun, family fun, together time.
With a sharp instrument, a little creativity and a lot of care, the exterior of pumpkins can be carved into all sorts of shapes and scenes, including the old-fashioned jack-o’-lantern design. Simple pumpkin painting seems to be becoming more popular, perhaps because blades and the removal of a pumpkin's seeds and icky pulp are not required.
Face pumpkins are the best for carving, and pumpkin carving kits help make the act safe, inexpensive and creative.
Owner Kevin Heagy keeps a watchful eye on his crop and tends to his pumpkin patches at his farm and produce stand in North Lebanon Township.
“When we were kids, we’d carve them,” said Heagy. “People carve all kinds of things out of them. Basically, whatever you can fit on them you can carve.”
Heagy dedicates 4 acres of farmland to pumpkin growing annually, careful to rotate the soil in which they are planted each year. He inserts the plants into the ground around Memorial Day and harvests his pumpkin crop just before Labor Day.
The plants flower first before morphing into small, mostly green pumpkin buds. Their three-month, summer development is affected by the degree of heat they are exposed to and the amount of water they receive.
“Your goal is to keep the vines and the pumpkin as green as possible, because (the vines continue) pumping energy into (the pumpkins) that keeps them growing,” said Heagy. “If the pumpkin has a brown stem, it’s going to rot faster.”
“You can cut (a pumpkin) when it’s a little green, but you want it mostly orange,” he added. “You want to cut the handle as long as possible.”
Heagy’s Pumpkins and Produce sows about 3,000 pumpkin plants per acre depending upon their size, and each plant yields about two or three pumpkins. Heagy sells a large portion of his yield, but there are some pumpkins left over.
“Once Halloween is over, the pumpkin season is done,” said Heagy. “They’re basically just decoration. The wildlife will eat them, and some people eat the seeds. Whatever we have left over goes to the animals for feed.”
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, pumpkins are one of the most popular crops in the country, and in 2017, the nation produced 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins. University of Illinois research indicates that Pennsylvania is one of the top five pumpkin-producing states in the country.
Heagy’s Pumpkins and Produce is recognized as one of the top pumpkin growers in Lebanon County, and it is one of a handful of farms and produce stands that offer them for sale.
“The demand is high,” said Heagy. “There’s a decent amount of stands that sell pumpkins. There are larger growers, but they sell wholesale. There are a lot more stands today than back when I first started selling pumpkins.”
For additional information on Heagy’s Pumpkins and Produce, search for “Heagy’s Pumpkins and Produce” on Facebook.
Creating the perfect JACK-O'-LANTERN
Jack-o'-lanterns are ubiquitous in October, and a refresher course on carving and decorating pumpkins can help families with kids of all ages create masterpieces this fall.
Don't carve too early. Though it can be tempting and fun to carve a jack-o'-lantern once the calendar turns to October, it's unlikely the finished product will make it all the way to Oct. 31. Horticulturists indicate that jack-o'-lanterns have a shelf life of roughly five to 10 days, though an especially cold October could shorten that life expectancy even further. If you want your jack-o'-lantern to greet trick-or-treaters on Halloween, wait to carve it until just before the big day.
Use a dry-erase marker to outline the design. It's easy to make mistakes when carving a jack-o'-lantern. Use a dry-erase marker to trace the design onto the pumpkin before you make a cut. Children can be tasked with drawing the design, leaving the actual carving to adults and older teens.
Avoid severing the stem. When carving, many people remove the top of the pumpkin so candles or lights can be placed inside. However, the custom pumpkin-carving experts at New Yorkbased Maniac Pumpkin Carvers note that removing the top cuts off the vine, which supplies the pumpkin with nutrients and moisture even after it's been cut. A hole in the back of the pumpkin can provide easy access when placing candles or lights inside, and carving here won't cut off the nutrient and moisture supply a pumpkin needs to avoid drying out.
Scoop everything out. Kids can help remove all the seeds from the interior of the pumpkin. The seeds can later be roasted to make a snack for the family to enjoy while gazing at the lit jack-o’-lantern. In addition to removing the seeds, be sure to get all of the pulp out. Pulp left in the pumpkin will soon get moldy, and that can shorten the lifespan of the jack-o'-lantern. In addition, try scraping the front inner wall of the pumpkin, which will make it thinner and easier to carve.
Use an LED
light inside the jack-o'-lantern.
Candles might seem like the most authentic and even spooky way to light the interior of the pumpkin, but the heat produced by a burning candle can shorten the life expectancy of the jacko'-lantern. An LED light won't give off much heat and will provide ample illumination.
Consider methods other than carving. While families may want to utilize kitchen knives or carving tools to craft their pumpkins’ designs, those with young children can opt for a different method of celebrating the season. Give youngsters any assortment of decorative materials – googly es and other stickers, age-appropriate paints, stencils, markers – the sky’s the limit! – and let them have a blast personalizing their pumpkins.
A kid’s best friend
Parents recognize the strong bonds children often form with their pets. The unconditional love that animals offer can be just what kids need at the end of the school day, and it's hard to resist cuddle time with a cat or dog.
Pets can also foster learning and growth in youngsters. According to Michigan State University Extension, pet ownership can teach kids responsibility and help them to develop important life skills like trust and compassion.
In a variety of ways, parents can help to guide their children in interacting with and caring for pets.
Teach gentle interactions
Young children need a lot of supervision and reinforcement to learn how to be gentle when petting or engaging with companion animals. Toddlers and even kindergartners may be unaware of how rough they can be, and young children may think of pets as toys. In addition, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry notes that children age 4 and younger do not have the maturity to control their aggressive and angry impulses. As a result, kids age 4 and younger should be monitored at all times when they are in the company of pets, and all children should be taught to be gentle with these animals.
Incorporate play sessions
Playing together is a great way for kids and pets to bond and get some exercise. Purina behaviorist Annie Valuska suggests activities like finding treats in hidden places or practicing commands or tricks such as high five or rolling over. Having children practice commands with the pet not only teaches kids how to interact with pets, but also acclimates animals to following commands from kids. Children also may be able to help pets adjust to a new pet carrier or to wearing a leash.
Take kids along to the vet
Children can learn a lot about pet health and care at the vet's office. Parents can bring youngsters along to help out and see what is involved in routine veterinary visits. Kids can soothe and distract the pet during the administration of vaccines and watch how a vet assesses an animal's overall health. Watching a pet go through a physical examination also may help a child become more brave in relation to his or her own medical checkups.
Choosing Halloween costumes for furry friends
Dressing up for Halloween is a popular way to celebrate the spooky holiday, and children and adults may wish to include their pets in this activity. Some families even plan to match their pet's fall attire to their own.
There are plenty of costumes and pet clothing items designed for pets, but not all of them are recommended by humane organizations or vets. People should keep the following tips in mind when selecting costumes for their pets. Check that the clothing item is sized appropriately so that it is not restrictive.
The pet should be able to walk properly, jump, groom, and relieve itself, and the costume should not impede its vision. The costume's materials should also be fire-retardant and nontoxic. Pets should not be left in costumes for too long, as the clothing may affect the animal's ability to control its body temperature.
Watch for behaviors that may indicate the pet is stressed by wearing the costume.
Pets feeling anxious may groom excessively or make more noise than usual. Dogs may pant a lot or yawn. If a pet is pawing or pulling at the costume, it might be making the animal uncomfortable.
Make sure the pet is able to relay body language while wearing the costume so it may communicate with other animals.
Costumes could interfere with that ability. If the pet will be wearing the costume indoors and not in proximity to other animals, it may be fine. Pets that will be walking outdoors and come into contact with other companion animals might act differently, and other animals may act aggressively when faced with a pet in a costume.
Involve kids in feeding and bathing the pet
Children can be responsible for putting pre-measured scoops of food in the pet’s bowl and helping to refill the pet’s water dish. Kids also may be able to offer treats to pets that are able to take them gently out of a person’s hand.
When it comes time to groom a pet, children can assist with scrubdowns in the tub or at a grooming station in a nearby retail store. More hands available can help wrangle a wet and slippery animal. Kids may find it soothing to brush pets, but they must do so gently.
Teach about quiet time
Pets need opportunities to rest, and children should understand that quiet time means the pet should be left alone. Kids can help set up a cozy napping spot where a dog or cat can retreat when it needs to rest.
As kids get older, they can take on more significant pet care responsibilities according to their maturity level. Tasks may include feeding pets in the morning or evening, taking dogs for after-school walks, taking pets outside to relieve themselves, cleaning up messes in the yard or emptying litter boxes, cleaning a pet’s food and water bowls, and cleaning up pet play areas, including vacuuming these spaces. The responsibilities can be shared among all the members of the household so that no individual is overloaded with pet care tasks.
Having a pet can provide a variety of benefits as kids grow up, and parents can help to ensure interactions proceed smoothly.
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Sayonara, sofa!
Activities to get the family moving together
Due to increasingly busy weekday schedules that have families running in different directions for work, school, and extracurricular activities, weekends can be an ideal time to recharge. Too often, however, family members retire to their respective rooms, devices in hand.
Kommando Tech said that people spend an average of three hours and 15 minutes on their phones each day, with Americans spending 5.4 hours a day using phones. Those statistics do not include additional time that is spent on devices like tablets or laptops.
Chances are phones are being used while lounging on a couch or bed, something that has negative health consequences for many children and adults. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to weight gain, loss of muscle strength, weak bones, diminished immune system response, and poor blood circulation, according to the health information site Medline.
The following fun activities can get kids and parents off the couch on weekends.
Take a family bike ride. Inflate those tires and tighten your helmet chin straps. A family bike ride is an ideal activity for the family because it is something that can be enjoyed by all age groups. Choose the pace and the terrain based on the age of the youngest or oldest riders. For example, flat, easy-to-navigate paths may be more appropriate for the very young or for seniors.
Wash the cars. It’s a chore, but it’s one that has the potential for lots of laughs along the way - and possibly a suds fight. Washing vehicles also is a great way to cool off when the weather is warm. Engage in sports training. Whether the children participate in organized sports or not, set up an obstacle course or fitness circuit in the backyard. Everyone can take turns going through the course, providing an opportunity for beneficial exercise while spending time together. If the backyard isn’t an option, check out a fitness trail at a local park.
Take a walking tour. Educational attractions like museums, zoos, aquariums, and arboretums
are great to visit on weekends. The family will see new sights and learn information from exhibits, all while walking a few miles.
Visit an amusement park. Research the nearest amusement park and take a day trip. Hours will be spent walking around the park and going on thrilling rides. Consider discounted memberships or season passes if this is a type of activity the family plans to repeat
Check out a driving range. Practice golf swings at a driving range or a virtual driving range. Everyone can compete to see whose drive is the longest.
Preschool
Pumpkins, Mums, Gourds, and Fall Décor
for Thanksgiving Cooking carefully
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) urges added caution when cooking on Thanksgiving, the leading day of the year for home cooking fires. Overall, cooking is the leading cause of U.S. home fires and injuries, and the second-leading cause of home fire deaths. Unattended cooking is the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.
The NFPA offers the following tips for cooking safely on Thanksgiving.
Never leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop. Some types of cooking, especially those that involve frying or sautéing with oil, need continuous attention.
When cooking a turkey, remain at home and check it regularly.
Make use of timers to keep track of cooking times, particularly for foods that must be in the oven or on the stove for a longer period.
Keep items that can catch fire, like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels, at
least 3 feet away from the cooking area. Avoid long sleeves and hanging fabrics that can come in contact with a heat source.
Always cook with a lid beside the pan. If a small grease fire starts, smother the flames by sliding the lid over the pan, and then turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time.
If something catches fire in the oven, turn off the heat and keep the oven door closed. The oven door should only be opened once the fire is completely out, and the person opening it should stand to the side as he or she does so. Anyone who has doubts or concerns is advised to contact the local fire department for assistance.
Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried. Hot foods and liquids should be placed away from table and counter edges.
In addition, the NFPA strongly discourages the use of turkey fryers that use cooking oil, which
tive,
For additional fire safety information, visit www.nfpa.org.
Thinking outside the box on Thinkin g o utside the box on
There are numerous reasons for children to spend time outdoors. Soaking up sunlight and fresh air can have a variety of benefits, from reducing stress to improving cardiovascular health.
Unfortunately, not every day is tailor-made for spending time outdoors. When inclement weather occurs, some creative thinking may be necessary to keep kids happy and occupied. Here are a few ideas for getting started.
Plan a scavenger hunt. Parents or caregivers can hide an item and set children on the course toward finding the treasure by providing clues that incrementally lead to the final hiding place.
Visit the library. Libraries have a host of activities ideal for rainy days. Apart from various genres of reading materials, there are movies to rent, informational classes, rooms for club meetings, and even arts and crafts events.
Establish an indoor campsite. Camping is a popular outdoor activity that can go on rain or shine. Those who are averse to camping in the rain can re-create the magic of camping indoors. Set up a tent or make a leanto from blankets and sheets. Use a fireplace or stove to roast marshmallows and make indoor s’mores.
Make homemade modeling compound. Invite a few of the children’s friends over and mix up a batch of homemade modeling clay. A handy recipe can be found at www.iheartnaptime.net/play-dough-recipe/. Children can spend hours molding the dough into imaginative creations.
Visit a museum. Central Pennsylvania is home to various museums, some showcasing historic artifacts and others touting novelties. For those concerned about indoor crowds, try visiting shortly after doors open or an hour or two before doors close. Foot traffic tends to be lower at these times.
Host a movie screening. A favorite downtime activity for many people, watching a movie can be a good idea for a rainy day. Kids can invite friends over and gather in a family room in preparation for the movie. Parents might provide healthy snacks and a few sweet treats to munch on during the film.
Play in the rain. Just because it’s raining doesn’t mean outdoor fun needs to be entirely curtailed. Children can don rain boots and raincoats or ponchos and go outside to stomp in puddles or dance in the rain showers. If rain gear is not available, children could wear old clothes and go barefoot to splash in the yard. Just have plenty of towels on hand and choose a warm day so kids won’t catch a chill.
Inclement weather necessitates having alternative activities ready for kids. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to keep them occupied.
Ways parents Halloween
Nestled between the start of a new school year and the arrival of the holiday season, Halloween is an opportunity for children and adults alike to have fun as they dress up in costumes and indulge in sweet treats. Even though Halloween is designed to be an entertaining day, it is not without risks. Parents can work together to help reduce the safety risks associated with Halloween.
Lack of visibility and dim lighting at night can increase the risk of pedestrians’ being struck by cars on Halloween. Improving visibility may go a long way toward cutting down on accidents and related deaths. Homeowners can keep their lights turned on and perhaps illuminate neighborhoods even more by temporarily installing strands of Christmas or bistrostyle lights. Children may carry battery-powered flashlights, lanterns, or glow sticks to make them more visible. Reflective tape placed on candy bags or costumes also can help.
Parents may set up safe trick-or-treat zones. The Trunk or Treat events that emerged several years ago sought to take some of the risk out of Halloween by containing trickor-treating to a parking lot at a school or church. Neighbors can establish something similar close to home by petitioning their town for permits to close a specific road or roads to vehicular traffic for a block party of sorts. Residents in the area can trick-or-treat and celebrate in the street without risk of injury from cars. Organizers may consider asking participating neighbors to chip in for refreshments and entertainment, if desired.
If children have food allergies, their parents should check the ingredient labels on the candy their children bring home. Allergens may include peanuts and tree nuts, eggs, dairy, gluten, and soy. Inspecting candy nutrition information can help weed out candy that may cause a reaction for those with food allergies or other concerns.
Adults and parents can take additional steps to prepare their homes for Halloween. They should keep the porch and front yard clear of tripping hazards, such as garden hoses, decorations, and toys. Leaves and branches should be swept away to prevent tripping or slipping, and pets should be restrained so they do not jump on trick-or-treaters. Adults are advised to offer a variety of treats for kids of all ages so trick-or-treaters get age-appropriate items.
Halloween fun and safety can go hand in hand this October.
