You probably know Halloween is the holiday in October when lots of kids dress up in costumes and come to your door shouting "Trick or Treat!" But you probably don't know how this holiday got started and what black cats and pumpkins have to do with it.

More than 2,000 years ago, the Celtics, an ancient people who lived in Northern France, Ireland and the United Kingdom, would celebrate the beginning of the Celtic new year and the start of winter on November 1.

They believed that on November 1, evil creatures such as witches roamed the earth to warn of the cold, hard winter ahead. These creatures would play tricks on people, but the Celtics celebrated by exchanging treats and lighting fires. This is where we get the phrase “Trick or Treat!” and the tradition of lighting candles in jack-o-lanterns. Many Celtics would also dress up as evil spirits, which is where we get Halloween costumes.

So if you go out trick-or-treating this year, you will know the story behind this tradition. Here are some tips so you have a fun and safe time:

• Have a grown-up go with you if they can, or stay in a large group. You don’t want to be wandering alone at night.
  
• Trick-or-treat in a crowded neighborhood you are familiar with; you don’t want to be in an empty neighborhood alone.
  
• Bring a flashlight or glow sticks with you.
  
• Wear reflective tape so others can see you.
  
• Stay on the sidewalk and out of the street.
  
• Never enter the home of someone you don’t know.
  
• Don’t eat your candy until your parents have inspected it.
  
• Never eat candy from open packages.
  
• Don’t wear a mask that covers your eyes; you want to be able to see!
  
• Have fun!

Learn more safety tips from the American Red Cross Web site.