Tips for fun and safe festivities.
OCTOBER 29, 2021 (Updated October 7, 2024)
In just a few days, the boundary between the world of the living and the world of the dead will thin, giving rise to various celebrations. For the occasion, we present an overview of the origins of Halloween in Canada. We also offer a few tips to celebrate while taking care of your health and safety throughout the traditional activities of this holiday.
Halloween in Canada
Although there is no established certainty regarding the origins of Halloween, many historians believe it originated with the Celtic peoples of ancient Europe. Thus, the tradition of Halloween in Canada is thought to be rooted in a Celtic festival named Samhain (pronounced "SOW-in").
According to the Celts, on the night of October 31 occurs the period of division between the cycle when days are longer than nights and the one when nights are longer than days. During this period, the separation between the world of the dead and the living thins, offering the souls of the departed, ghosts and demons the opportunity to cross over to the side of the living. In this tradition, certain practices, such as wearing costumes and presenting offerings, were used to ward off and appease malevolent spirits.
Its arrival in Canada is thought to date back to the mid-19th century with the arrival of a large wave of Irish and Scottish immigrants. The traditions of Samhain were then combined with those of the Christian feast of All Saints' Day. Indeed, the term Halloween comes from All Hallows Eve, which can be translated as "the eve of all the Saints."
Where does the famous tradition of
It is said to come from an ancient legend that tells the story of a mischievous drunkard named Stingy Jack, who is said to have outwitted the devil twice rather than once. The legend says that the Devil came down from Hell to punish him for his unacceptable behaviour. Unfortunately, being cunning, Jack managed to keep the Devil prisoner by surrounding him with crosses. To be freed, the Devil had to promise Jack that he would never come to bother him again. Later, when the man died, Heaven did not want him and, in Hell, neither did the Devil, since that was his promise. It is said that since then, Jack wanders between the world of the dead and the living. Thus, people created pumpkin lanterns to ward off wandering souls, like Jack. So, carving pumpkins to place and light candles inside serves to protect one's home from evil spirits.
1. Use a tool kit specifically designed for this activity to reduce the risk of injury.
2. Properly prepare your space and your work tools.
Your space must be well lit and the work surface must be stable and flat. Nothing should be wet or damp in order to avoid anything being slippery.
3. Carve the pumpkin before emptying it.
This way you will avoid the temptation to put your hand inside during the cutting. You can, however, beforehand cut the bottom of the pumpkin a little to ensure its stability.
4. The cutting must be done by an adult.
Of course, that doesn't mean the children can't participate. They can help empty the pumpkin, draw the patterns of the face and decorate it.
A FEW TIPS SO THAT YOUR HALLOWEEN DOESN'T TURN INTO A HORROR MOVIE
Whether for carving pumpkins as a family, handing out candy, partying or driving your car on Halloween night, it is important to take certain measures to ensure everyone's safety. These simple precautions will allow you to celebrate Halloween with complete peace of mind!
Trick-or-treating
1. Make sure that your costume and that of the children allows them to see and move well.
• Opt for makeup to avoid hindering vision. However, be sure to apply makeup to children with hypoallergenic and non-toxic products.
• Make sure to be highly visible to drivers by adding reflective bands to the costume.
2. Remind children of the safety rules for pedestrians.
• Be vigilant at all times.
• Cross carefully at pedestrian crossings and intersections.
• Never cross between parked cars.
3. Warn your children not to eat any candy before it has been examined upon their return home.
Handing out candy
1. Make sure the front of your house is well lit.
• Dim lighting contributes to the eerie atmosphere of your decorations. However, visitors may have more difficulty seeing their way, which increases the risk of incidents, such as a fall.
2. Clear the pathway well so that people can move through without risk of tripping and getting hurt.
3. Keep pets away in another room.
• The excitement of children, the constant comings and goings, the bright accessories and the loud noises can stress your animals and may cause reactive or unusual behaviour.
• You also have to be careful to keep the candy and wrappers out of their reach. For your companions, eating candy can cause serious health problems.
The festivities
1. Of course, the previous tips aimed at the safety of your animals are also applicable in this context
2. Clear the space as best you can.
• This way, you avoid having a guest trip and get hurt. For example, if you have a coffee table in the living room, move it to a bedroom.
3. Avoid total darkness.
• For example, dim the lights of the main room and turn on those of the main passageways, such as the one leading to the bathroom.
4. Use small battery-operated lanterns to illuminate your pumpkins, rather than real candles.
5. Use a designated driver service, such as Tolérance-Zéro, so that your guests return home safely.
• Driving while impaired is NEVER a good idea.
Driving
1. Be even more attentive and alert than usual.
• Be patient and drive slowly to avoid, for example, a collision with a child who has forgotten the safety rules and has ventured to cross the street between two parked cars.
2. Avoid all distractions. For example, wait until you are stopped to change the song or to answer the phone.
• Although this is a rule that should be practiced at all times, it is all the more important during this event in which many children roam the streets.
Diabetes
Although Halloween is a terrifying holiday, a diagnosis of diabetes should not be one of the things that inspires fear on that day. For both adults and children, good preparation can make it possible to enjoy this monstrously fun event.
1. Make sure that responsible adults are well informed about;
• the quantity of candy that can be eaten and the treats to avoid; • the right amount of insulin depending on the circumstances; • the signs of hypo/hyperglycemia, and what to do if such a situation occurs.
2. Avoid the cold and drops in blood sugar by bringing warm clothing.
3. Make sure the pump and glucometer remain within reach.
4. Plan for the possibility of consuming candy during and after trick-or-treating.
My teal pumpkin
A remarkable initiative to make the traditional Halloween trick-or-treating more inclusive for children with allergies!
Created in Tennessee in 2012, it was in 2015 that the initiative took root in Canada.
The concept is simple: place a teal pumpkin in front of your house to indicate that you will offer non-edible surprises on Halloween night.
For example, you could offer: • stickers; • fun pencils; • spider rings; • or bubbles.
Of course, this does not exclude that you can also give candy to the other children. In this case, it is preferable to offer candy free of the most common allergens in case a child with allergies ends up with one of these bags.
According to Allergies Québec, the 9 priority allergens are peanuts, wheat, milk, mustard, tree nuts, eggs, fish and seafood, sesame and soy.
Also make sure that the individual packaging of the candy you distribute contains the list of ingredients.
First aid
The best way to celebrate with complete peace of mind is to be able to intervene if an incident occurs. Learning the basics of first aid is a few hours of your time that could make all the difference.
Learn at your own pace thanks to our 100% online training!
Written by Laurie Lévesque, content creator.
Reviewed, illustrated and laid out by Émilie Bedard, communications officer
• Allergies Québec. N.d. "9 priority allergens". https://allergies-alimentaires.org/9-allergenes-prioritaires/
• Allergies Québec. 2023. "Take part in the My Teal Pumpkin initiative!". https://allergies-alimentaires.org/participez-a-linitiative-ma-citrouille-turquoise/
• Bizzotto, Elena. 2018. "Halloween pumpkin: beware of injuries". Santé Magazine. https://www.santemagazine.fr/actualites/citrouille-dhalloween-attention-aux-blessures-334701
• Diabète Québec. 2022. "Halloween for the child living with diabetes". https://www.diabete.qc.ca/le-diabete/la-vie-avec-le-diabete/evenements-fetes-et-celebrations/la-fete-dhalloween-chez-lenfant-diabetique/
• Government of Canada. 2023. "Halloween safety". https://www.canada.ca/fr/sante-canada/services/securite-domicile/securite-halloween.html#
• McIntosh, Andrew. 2016. "Halloween in Canada". The Canadian Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/fr/article/halloween
• Régie du Bâtiment du Québec. N.d. "Decorating for Halloween and the holiday season". https://www.rbq.gouv.qc.ca/vous-etes/citoyen/conseils-de-securite/a-la-maison/decorer/
• Vermette, Katia. 2016. "My teal pumpkin, an initiative of unmatched scope". Allergies Québec. https://allergies-alimentaires.org/ma-citrouille-turquoise-une-initiative-a-lampleur-inegalee/