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Halloween

Many houses and yards in Rimbey are decorated in keeping with the season.
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Spoooooky

Many houses and yards in Rimbey are decorated in keeping with the season. This yard on 53rd Street is hauntingly realistic and depicts Oct. 31 in an especially creative way.

Halloween safety tips

Every year children anxiously count down the days until they are able to put on their costumes and head out into the neighborhood in search of candy. Although Halloween is meant to be a fun occasion for the young and the old alike, it can also be unsafe.

To make Halloween a safe holiday, children and adults can heed these suggestions.

Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes. Although kids might want to wear shoes that match the costume, shoes that fit well and are comfortable are a safer bet. This will help prevent tripping and falling over cumbersome shoes.

Go trick-or-treating in groups. Children should not be allowed to go out in search of candy alone. Going in a group means that someone can get help if need be. Also, there is safety in numbers. Predators won’t view a child as an easy target if he or she is with fellow trick-or-treaters.

Be visible. Since daylight saving time begins shortly after Halloween, there are fewer hours of daylight for trick-or-treating. When Halloween falls on a weekday, children have to wait until after school to venture out, and it can quickly become dark. Therefore, make sure that children are equipped with flashlights and put reflective tape on their costumes so they will be more visible to fellow pedestrians and motorists.

Stick to the sidewalks. Children should stay on sidewalks and cross the street only at established crosswalks.

Do not enter homes. Unless a child is with an adult and the home is owned by a trusted friend, kids should not enter homes for treats.

Avoid candles and jack-o-lanterns. A costume can easily catch on fire, so it is best to steer clear of candles, luminaries and lit pumpkins.

Accessorize safely. Select flexible swords and knives if they are accompanying a costume. Avoid rigid items that can cause injuries.

Examine all candy before eating. Before kids have their first bite, parents should inspect candy wrappers to determine if there has been any tampering. Also, avoid homemade treats from homes unless you know the people who prepared the items.