Don’t get tricked on Halloween!
With the arrival of fall comes cool weather and crisp nights. It also means that Halloween is around the corner! It’s so much fun opening the door to trick-or-treaters and see their creative costumes.
With the fun, comes the importance of safety. Following are a few basic tips that will make sure your Halloween night is a treat.
On Thursday, October 31, before heading out to “trick-or-treat,” have the kids eat dinner so they won’t be so hungry for the candy.
Choose costumes with a flame-resistant or flame-retardant label. Adding glow-in-the-dark tape to the costumes will make children more visible.
Make sure costumes fit securely. Avoid masks, wigs, eye patches or floppy hats. Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
Young children should always be accompanied by a responsible adult. Older kids should plan a safe route so parents know where they are at all times. Only visit homes with porch lights on. Trick-or-Treat only during the hours designated in your community, which in North Royalton is 6-8 p.m.
Have your child carry a flashlight to make them more visible to cars.
Instruct children to not eat any candy until they are back home and the treats have been checked. Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
Try to limit candy consumption by allowing a few pieces after a healthy meal or as a special treat.
Whether you’re looking for something that will give you a little fright, or a downright scare, the following are a listing of the closest hauntingly good locations!
Royal Scare, 12043 E. Padua Drive, North Royalton.
Open daily during the week in October from 6 to 9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays and Sundays from 6 p.m. to Midnight. Free admission. See more information on their website at www.royalscare.com or call 230-8808
Directions: Take Ridge Road north and turn right onto Wallings Road. Turn right onto Hilary Drive, then left onto Padua Drive. Royal Scare is on the left.
Bloodview Haunted House, 1010 Towpath Rd., Broadview Heights.
Open Fridays and Saturdays to November 1, 8 p.m. to Midnight; Sundays and Halloween eve and Halloween from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for an all-night pass. See more information on their website at www.bloodview.org or call 526-9148.
Directions: Take State Road south to Akins Road. Turn left. Turn right onto Broadview Road. Turn left onto Towpath Road. Bloodview will be on the left.
7 Floors of Hell, 19191 Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, 440-243-FEAR
This offers seven haunted houses in one location. The Boogie Man; House of the Dead, Phobia, Mental Ward, Catacombs, The Butcher Shop and The Basement.
Open every Friday and Saturday night through November 2, as well as October20, 24, 27 and, of course, Halloween night. Hours are 7 p.m. to Midnight on Fridays and Saturdays; 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays and Thursdays. Tickets are $28 per person at the box office or you can purchase as speed pass for $38, where you can gain entry with no wait. For more information, visit their website http://www.7floorsofhell.com/tickets.htm#/select.
Directions: Take Rt. 82 west and merge onto I-71 north. Take exit 235 for Bagley Road. The 7 Floors of Hell is located at the Cuyahoga County Fair grounds on the left, just past Southwest General Hospital.
Forest of Screams, 1662 Medina Road, Medina, 330-239-FEAR
The highlights of this location are the Haunted Trail, the Haunted House and the Haunted Hayride
Open every Friday and Saturday night through November 2, as well as October 6, 13, 20, 27 and, of course, Halloween night. Hours are from 7 p.m. to midnight and every Sunday night and Halloween night from 7 to 10 p.m.. General admission ticket, $28; Speed Pass Ticket (to go directly to the front of the line) $38. See more information on their website www.forestofscreams.com
Direction: Take Ridge Road south, about 11 miles. At the traffic circle, continue straight onto OH-94South. Turn right onto OH-18 West. The Forest of Screams is located on the left.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer