Halloween brings potential health and safety hazards, but there’s no need to take all of the fun out of the night! Keep the boos from becoming boo-hoos by following some tricks (and treats) of the trade.

> Creeped out by calories? Get the stats on 9 sweet Halloween treats

> Before you hack away at that Jack-o’-lantern-to-be, check these “carve with care” safety tips

> Danger-free dress-up: A costume can make you feel scary, silly, or sinister, but it shouldn’t make you feel unsafe

> Tricks for treating: The big night has come! Here are some age-appropriate tricks for safe treating.

> Sugar shock? Here’s how to prevent post-Halloween candy overload.

> Who’s afraid of the big, bad clown? Lots of folks, apparently!

> We fear this? It’s apparently scarier than any spooky creature or frightening threat lurking in the dark!

> The dark? Tunnels? Tight spaces? Heights? What’s your greatest phobia?

> Freddy Kruger may cause nightmares. What else does?

I carpool to work each morning, and as a passenger I have a lot of time to observe other drivers. I catch lots of folks sipping coffee, smoking, gabbing into their hands-free headsets, singing along to songs on the radio, picking their noses, or just generally looking unhappy to be where they are.

A couple of mornings ago - as slushy snow fell like a wet blanket over Toronto and stop-and-go traffic clogged the motorways - I spotted a driver tapping out a text message on his cell phone.

Coincidentally, at around the same time, a DJ on the radio started discussing a possible ban in the US on ALL cell phone use while driving.

When I got to work, I looked it up: The National Safety Council (NSC) in the US released a statement urging a ban on any and all use of cell phones while driving - even when using hands-free devices. Now, obviously, the dude driving beside me this morning is a danger to our safety, but don’t those hands-free headsets offer some safety and protection? [Read more →]