Halloween Tips for Kids and Parents

Here are some tips to have a fun and safe Halloween!

H – Have Fun!

A - Always make sure lit Jack-O-Lanterns are far away from costumes!

L – Look both ways before crossing any streets!

L - Let your kids know not to cut through back alleys or fields.  Stay in well lit areas.

O - Only carry props that are flexible and blunt, so no injuries if there’s a fall.

W – Wear a light reflective piece of tape on clothing, light up necklace or flashlight.

E - Eat a good dinner before trick-or-treating to minimize candy binges after.

E – Examine your kids’ treats before they eat them.

N – Never go into a home or car of a stranger.

 

Have a Happy, Happy Halloween!

Dial 2-1-1 for Flu Advice

Flu season is upon us, and to help us through it, the Department of State Health Services has set up a flu hotline.  Texans simply have to dial 2-1-1 on their telephone to receive medical guidance on what they should do if they or a family member has flu-like symptoms.

The hotline is staffed with medical professionals 24/7 who can provide information on how to manage the flu-like symptoms or when it is necessary to seek further medical or emergency room care.  They will also have access to flu vaccine availability for both individuals and health care providers.

Dr. David Lakey, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services says, “We want to help people make informed decisions about how to care for themselves and their families.  Most H1N1 and seasonal flue cases can be successfully treated at home, without an unneccessary trip to the emergency room.”

Basic flu symptoms include fever, cough, and sore throat that usually comes on suddenly.  Most cases are relatively mild to moderate and do not need a trip to the emergency room.  Most individuals with the H1N1 or seasonal flu just need lots of fluids, fever reducing medication, rest and careful monitoring.   Recovering at home helps keep the spread of the flu at bay, while not clogging up the emergency rooms for unnecessary visitors.

Do keep in mind that if you have an underlying medical condition and think you have any flu-like symptoms, you should contact your physician right away. 

2-1-1 Texas Information and Referral Network is operated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.  For more information about the flu in Texas, you can visit:  www.TexasFlu.org .

Fall Activities in Flower Mound

With only 2 weeks until Halloween, things are getting spooky and kooky around Flower Mound!  The ghosts, goblins, Cinderellas and Spidermen are ready to come out and play.   We want to make it easy for you to find the fun Fall and Halloween activities in Flower Mound, Highland Village and Grapevine, so your kids can have a spooktacular and safe Halloween. 

 

HALLOWEEN 2009 ACTIVITIES

Butterfly Flutterby – This 12 Annual Event is FREE in downtown Grapevine on Saturday, October 17th, from 10am-2pm.   Have the kiddos (and pets too) come dressed in their favorite butterfly wings and celebrate the migration of the monarch butterflies from Canada to Mexico.  There is a costume parade for the kids and pets at 10am, registration is at 8:45am at the corner of Wall Street and Jenkins Street.  There will also be live butterfly releases, arts & crafts, facepainting and more!  Visit www.GrapevineTexasUSA.com for more details

Walking With Dinosaurs – American Airlines Center, Oct. 21-24 at 7pm, Oct. 24 11am and Oct. 24 at 3pm.  This is a traveling show that features 15 life size dinosaurs that roar and walk in a 10 million pound arena spectaular.  You will get up close and personal with these truly life-like dinosaurs while also learning about the species.  The recommended age for the show is ages 3-96.   The the show has been carefully written and produced for the entire family, and there is no violence.  Do keep in mind however, that it has been produced to provide a fair amount of realism – so to simulate earthquakes, volcanoes and comets impacting the earth, along with the primal roars of the dinosaurs, the sound level is loud in many places.  Some children (and adults) are sometimes momentarily taken by surprise by the impact of the sound, but usually their general fascination with dinosaurs, the symphonic music and the rich, yet subtle lighting tends to balance any momentary fear.  Most children seem to sit relatively quietly in awe of the dinosaurs.  

Fall Festival at Hogwart’s Kastle – Oct. 24, 12-9pm, Kid’s Kastle in Highland Village – 2200 Briarhill Blvd.   Are you a fan of the Wizarding World? Come to the fifth annual Hogwarts Halloween Festival sponsored by Highland Village Parks Foundation and Studio B Performing Arts Center. Tour Hogwarts Kastle, see your favorite wizarding characters, and enjoy games, food and lots of fun in Hogsmeads Village!  $3 Children and $1 Adults, Proceeds benefit Studio B Performing Arts Studio and additional water fountain for the city Inland Trail System.  More information visit:  www.HighlandVillage.org

Pumpkin Dive at the CAC – Oct. 24, 6-8pm, Flower Mound Community Activitiy Center  Come to the CAC and dive into the indoor pool for the perfect pumpkin, then have fun decorating it for Halloween.  Pre-register at the CAC, $5 for members, $6 for non-members.  Visit www.Flower-Mound.com/CAC for more information.

Tales by the Rales – Oct. 24 – 7pm – FREE – Grapevine Cotton Belt Depot, 705 Main St.  Are you ready to get Spooky?  Come to the train station, sit around a campfire near the railroad tracks and listen to scarey stories.  For more information call  972.724.0157

Halloween on Main Street – Oct. 30, 6-9pm - FREE - Main Street Grapevine – Dress up in your favorite Halloween Costume and head to downtown Grapevine for a hoopin’, hollerin’ time.  The kids can travel from booth to booth to pick up candy, play games and more.

Halloween Scream Train – Oct. 30th and 31st – 1pm – $10-$20 - Grapevine Cotton Belt Depot – All aboard the scream train for a ride to Stockyard Station and back.  There will be an onboard costume contest and even some trick or treating along the way.

Spectacular Trails Extravaganza – Oct. 31st – 6pm-9pm – FREE – Lake Park – Group Picnic Area – 100 E. lake Park Rd., Lewisville – Looking for a place to take the kids for safe trick or treating?  Join the Parks & Leisure services department at the Haunted Ball Fields and don’t forget to bring your trick or treat bags and wear your costume for a costume contest from 6:30-8:30.  Enjoy hayrides, carnival games, face-painting, kid friendly haunted maze, and more!  Food will be served for minimal charge.  For more information call:  972.219.5061

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!  Boo!