#Halloween can be stressful for #pets even if no fireworks are involved. Dogs may act upon their natural instinct to protect the home and bark when strangers ring the bell, the Humane Society of the United States says, making trick-or-treating stressful for everyone involved; cats also prefer a quiet environment. Before the #kids start arriving, put pets in a quiet room, and supply them with a treat some soft music. Consider meeting #trick-or-treaters on the porch to minimize doorbell ringing. And keep candy safely stashed and secured — foods such as chocolate, gum and xylitol are toxic to pets.
Tag: Halloween
Practice Safe Decorating for Halloween
Decorating for #Halloween can be a creative and joyous event. But be aware of fire risks and other #hazards as you prepare to #spook the neighborhood kids, says Travelers Insurance. Walk the property before trick-or-treaters arrive to ensure you haven’t created a tripping hazard with temporary extension cords, for example, and that obstacles are clearly marked. Arrange decorations with traffic flow in mind, and even though darkness is #scarier, make walkways and entryways well-lit. Take care not to overload electrical outlets, and avoid using the use of open flames such as candles — they can easily be kicked over or ignite costume materials.
Keep Kids Safe While Trick-or-Treating
#Halloween is a magical event for kids, with free candy and dress-up fun. Make sure your trick-or-treaters are safe on the sidewalks and streets, says the National Safety Council. A costume shouldn’t be a safety hazard, so choose costumes, wigs and accessories that are fire-resistant. If #children are going out after dark, fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags, or give them glowsticks. Choose nontoxic makeup instead of masks, which can obscure vision, and remove makeup before bed to prevent eye and skin irritation. Children are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween, so have a responsible adult accompany young children on their rounds.
Why Fall Is America’s Favorite Season
Fall begins on Saturday, Sept. 23, and four out of 10 U.S. residents couldn’t be happier. That’s right: According to a 2022 Morning Consult survey of more than 2,000 Americans, 41% named fall as their favorite season.
Spring and summer tied for second place, with 24% each, and winter (perhaps not surprisingly) garnered only 11%. Women, Midwesterners and Southerners, and Gen X were the biggest fans of fall; interestingly, Gen Z is the only demographic to like winter second-best.
What contributes to fall’s popularity? Sociologically speaking, the season is associated with many temporal landmarks, sociologist Kathryn Lively told HuffPost. Temporal landmarks are significant dates such as birthdays, holidays and other events that structure perceptions of time.
Fall birthdays are commonplace in the U.S., and events such as the start of school, Halloween, Thanksgiving and even homecoming provide people with fond memories that carry through to the annual change of seasons.
Survey respondents listed any number of justifications for their fall fandom. Almost two-thirds of those who named it as their favorite season (63%) said they enjoy seeing the leaves change color; more than half (58%) highlighted the Thanksgiving holiday.
Fall’s crisper weather (56%), fall foods (50%) and fall clothing (44%) also made the list, followed by Halloween (41%) and football (37%). In a poke at pumpkin spice lattés, only 32% named fall-inspired beverages.
But it’s more likely that positive emotions and memories drive people’s feelings for fall. More than two-thirds of those surveyed said they feel “happy,” “content,” “excited,” “optimistic” and “nostalgic” in autumn. It’s a time for people to turn to comforts like sweaters and a hearty meal.
As you get your fall #clothing out this year, take stock of what you really need and wear, and #donate any extras to ClothingDonations.org. You’ll be sharing those good fall feelings with #veterans nationwide.
Make Lighting Spooky for Halloween
If you’re decorating for Halloween on a budget, consider the lighting, Today says. Create a spooky atmosphere with candles, a green or black-light bulb, or mini lights strung strategically on your prop skeleton or scarecrow. Successful decorating schemes often follow a theme (classics include zombie, werewolf, witch and mummy) and include only a few large items. Add a little yellow caution tape, a few plastic skulls and a plastic tombstone, and you’ll be set! If you like the way your display turns out, pack it neatly away next week and build upon it next year. #HalloweenDecorating