Don't let Halloween myths and superstitions trick you

Don't let Halloween myths and superstitions trick you


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Every year, kids all around the country look forward to Oct. 31 — and for good reason. It's Halloween; time for children to dress up as their favorite character, object or figment of their own imagination and walk around darkened neighborhoods reciting "trick or treat!" The magical evening typically ends with delighted children exploring bags filled with sugary goodness and other fun treats.

In the "spirit" of the holiday, MountainStar Healthcare teamed up with KSL.com to bring readers a list of common Halloween myths and superstitions as well as tips to keep children safe.

Don't let Halloween myths and superstitions trick you

Superstitions that became traditions

By most reports, traditions now related to Halloween dates back thousands of years to a Celtic harvest festival called Samhain (Sah-ween). It was a time to celebrate the end of a successful harvest. The pagans also believed the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead thinned at this time of year, making it possible for the deceased to roam the earth. Thus, Oct. 31 marked a time to honor ancestors – but carefully. People would don costumes and light bonfires to fend off the dead roaming as ghosts.

Over time, the day became known as All Hallows Eve and then Halloween. Today, the holiday remains associated with widely held traditions, myths and superstitions like these:

Carving Jack-o-lanterns

As the Irish legend goes, a miserly man named Jack bargained with the devil and ended up being denied access to heaven and hell. Legend has it that the devil tossed him an ember that Jack used to make a makeshift lantern out of a turnip that continues to guide his lost soul as he forever wanders the earth.

Dressing up

For centuries, people wore masks and costumes to hide their attendance at pagan festivals. Many believed that dressing up as a ghoul would trick evil spirits into believing they were one of them. These practices and superstitions likely influenced the wearing of costumes on Halloween, a tradition that is eagerly anticipated by children and adults alike.

"Smashing pumpkins" and trick-or-treating:

In the United States, particularly in the 1930s, Halloween became a night of extreme mischief. Teenagers ran the streets, smashing pumpkins, pulling pranks, and even vandalizing homes. In an effort to put a stop to such behavior, adults began handing out candy, thus starting our current tradition of sugary distributions.

Don't let Halloween myths and superstitions trick you

Halloween Myths

Poisoned candy

For decades, rumors have surfaced about poisoned candy. These stories caused parents and children alike to be afraid of what may lurk in their Halloween bags.

As a result, many parents try to inspect each piece before letting their children taste even a bite-sized candy. As much as this makes for good TV, "there has never been a documented case of a stranger poisoning kids' Halloween candy," according to livescience.com.

Tip: Many parents remove homemade treats unless they know who provided them.

Razor blades, pins, needles – oh my!

If worrying about poisoned candy wasn't enough, another creepy Halloween rumor has sharp objects like razor blades, pins and needles inserted into apples and candy bars. As a result, hospitals in some areas of the country offer to X-ray the sweets before they're consumed. For the most part, the rumors are unfounded however Snopes.com did confirm documentation of tampered trick-or-treat loot.

Tip: Though tampering is rare, take a few minutes to examine all the treats and discard any that are unwrapped or suspicious before your kids enjoy their Halloween haul.

Don't let Halloween myths and superstitions trick you

Black cats and pit bulls

Another longstanding rumor increases fears about the "ritual abuse" of black cats" on Halloween. A more recent myth declares Oct. 31 as "National Kill a Pit Bull Day. Both are unfounded and documents as hoaxes by Snopes.com and Urban Legends.

Tip: It's still a great idea to keep cats and dogs indoors on Halloween. The increased number of noisy children wearing "spooky" clothing can be upsetting, causing your pet to run away or become aggressive.

Five trick-or-treating safety tips worth repeating

According to State Farm commission analysis, "kids have a greater chance of being fatally injured by a car on Halloween than any other day of the year." It reported an average of 5.5 child pedestrian fatalities each year on Oct. 31, which is more than double the average of 2.6 fatalities on other days.

Here are some safety trips to keep your kids from becoming part of this year's injury statistic. Visit the American Academy of Pediatrics for more:"

  • Well-fitting costumes, shoes and masks help prevent falls and accidents caused by blocked vision. Replace masks with non-toxic face paint whenever possible.
  • Do not use decorative contact lenses. They can cause inflammation, pain and in some cases, serious eye disorders, infections and permanent vision loss.
  • Teach your kids to make direct eye contact with a driver before crossing in front of a car. (This is a great all-year-round safety tip!)
  • Remind children to walk facing traffic, not cross the street between parked cars, and watch for cars backing out of driveways.
  • Establish a family tradition that helps kids to ration Halloween candy so they can enjoy it without getting a tummy ache or sugar rush.

Everyone at MountainStar Healthcare wishes you and your children a fun and safe Halloween.

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