The alternative Hallowe'en countdown; or, Happy Goth Christmas, y'all

It's Hallowe'en, ghosts and ghouls! Time to don a disguise, go out trick or treatin' and raise some mischief. Or, just curl up with a nice glass o' something and watch a horror movie or read a good ghost book, your call. Now, before you go out there and stuff your face with chocolate and sweets, maybe glance upon this 1977 PIF about 'Halloween Safety'.

Here we get some great snippets of info like instead of wearing a black witch's costume, wear a white one. Whilst the logic is sound (wear something bright so you don't get run over), shame the outfit they go with also includes a white pointy hat, so it's less 'witch' and more 'KKK'. Another great safety tip is to write your kid's full name, address and telephone number on the trick or treat bag, in case they have an accident. This seems to be at loggerheads with the 'stranger danger' rhetoric often peddled at this time, as the last thing I'd want some random person to know is the full contact details of my unaccompanied kid. You know how you ensure your kid doesn't get in an accident? Take them trick or treating yourself instead of letting them wander the dark streets on their own. Parenting sure was different 40 years ago. 

Of course, this wouldn't be a '70s safety video without mentioning the threat of tampered Hallowe'en candy. Shame they didn't have Snopes back then, as most stories of poisoned candy are exactly that, stories. I'm unsure how parents are supposed to detect poisoned sweets or chocolate...sounds like a ploy for parents to nab all the good candy for themselves under the guise of "oh, best not have this one, might be poisoned". Also, who the hell gives out fruit to trick or treaters other than Ned Flanders? Surely that's just asking for the apple to be lobbed at your house? Congratulations, you've played yourself.

The bit about wearing face paint instead of a mask has shades of a young Michael Myers, to the point I almost expected the footage to contain a scene of teenagers having sex and that familiar John Carpenter tune tinkling away. Even the title screen looks eerily familiar. 

However you're celebrating Hallowe'en, just remember to use your common sense, don't be a dick, and above all have fun!