ag-formation

SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                                  Telephone (803) 734-2210

D. LESLIE TINDAL, COMMISSIONER                                        Becky Walton, Director of Public Information

P.O. Box 11280, Columbia, South Carolina 29211                                             bwalton@scda.state.sc.us

www.scda.state.sc.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2001

COLUMBIA---Celebrating Halloween is a fun tradition shared by everyone---the young and the young at heart.  From carving pumpkins and bobbing for apples to dressing up and going trick-or-treating, the holiday is filled with good memories in-the-making.

Holiday celebrations are an important part of feeling connected to family and our culture, and we should make the most of them. Celebrating Halloween offers some relief from the tension of the past several weeks, and it provides a time for families to share in some light-hearted fun and create positive memories for the future.

However, some parents may be feeling apprehensive this Halloween.  It’s natural to be concerned about the safety of our families, but it’s important that we don’t over-react.

According to the National Safety Council, the biggest safety concern for Halloween is the risk of injury. “Safety is always an essential part of fun and that is true this Halloween as it has been in the past,” says the National Safety Council. “Be sensible, practice safety and have fun.”

The Council offers these guidelines to help ensure a safe Halloween:

• Review appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions with your kids – including pedestrian and traffic safety rules.
• Dress in light-colored or reflective costumes and carry a lightweight flashlight.
• Stay on the sidewalks or curbside unless crossing the street; look both ways for vehicles.
• Know your children’s trick-or-treat route and insist your kids stick to it.
• Young children should trick-or-treat with an adult; older children should trick-or-treat with friends or in a group.
• Go only to houses that are familiar and never enter homes.
• Drivers should pay special attention to speed limits and be alert to children who may be difficult to see at night.
• Parents should inspect all treats their children bring home before any are consumed.  Any treats in loose or open wrappers should be discarded.