HawthorneVillager.com

I don't think it's an issue, you wouldn't be the first person to have left treats out. Just make sure you have a sign that says: Help Yourself or they will ring the doorbell.

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Have a Happy, Healthy, Flu Free Halloween: Tips from St. John Ambulance to Reduce the Risk to Kids this Halloween
With all the talk of flu and H1N1 this year some parents may be hesitant to let their children out trick or treating. Though there is some risk of getting sick there is no reason to discourage children from going out. Instead use this opportunity to reinforce good hygiene and flu prevention with your children. These tips from St. John Ambulance will help parents and children enjoy a happy, healthy Halloween.

• Wash your Paws, Claws, Hooks and Hands: Hand washing is one of the most basic and most effective ways to prevent getting sick. Pack your little monsters off with some hand sanitizers or wipes and make sure they know to wash their hands before snacking.
• Catch it in Your Sleeve: Remind kids to cough or sneeze into their sleeves or a tissue.
• Avoid Common Surfaces: Instead of knocking on the door or ringing the doorbell, encourage kids to shout "trick or treat!" at the houses they visit.
• Don't Grab for Goodies: When handing out candy this year, avoid letting kids dig around in the bowl – instead use clean hands or a scoop to distribute goodies.
• Keep it to Yourself: If you or someone in your household is sick, don't hand out treats. Kids want candy, not germs.
• Plan Ahead: No parent wants to keep their child from having Halloween fun; but if they're sick, they should stay home. Plan ahead for Halloween at Home – rent a scary movie the kids may want to watch, play games, have a Halloween candy hunt or let the kids trick or treat to different rooms in the house. There is lots of fun to be had with family at home.

Remember there are plenty of scary things about Halloween but the flu shouldn't be one of them. For more information on the flu, visit www.fightflu.ca and have a happy, healthy Halloween from St. John Ambulance.

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Heather & Chris

We've been in our house since 2006, in 2006 and 2008, we just left a bowl out. Both years all the candy was gone. In 2007 we handed out the candy, and we only got about 6 kids, and had tons of candy left over. If you're going to be home that night, perhaps you could put out little bits of candy at a time, otherwise, it could be gone quite quickly!

On the flip side of this, will parents be more cautious about the candy their kids receive? Aside from checking for open packages or questionable candy and the like, will some parents not let their kids go trick or treating because of H1N1 risks (and perhaps somehow compensate their kids another way for the candy)?

Ever since I stopped trick or treating myself (so many moons ago!) I have enjoyed handing candy out, and insisted on doing it even while I was a university student and my roommate and I lived in a brownstone. While I understand the health concerns, I would miss seeing the kids in their expensive or lovingly made costumes and just leaving a bowl of candy on my front door instead.

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Linda - my kids will be at your door tomorrow!

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Heather & Chris

You can always be a doctor for Halloween, mask and gloves and required for costume...