Gory Zombies

Every year, on Halloween night our costumed pack of pirates and witches, clowns and punk rockers round the blocks with candy toppling out of their over capacity plastic jack-o-lanterns making Hansel and Gretel like trails down the sidewalk. As the night draws to an end - long past routine bedtimes, the kids’ energy has dwindled and we hit that near melt down moment of the night when face paint is smudged, costumes have ripped and someone has lost their shoes.

However, our group pushes on because we know that the pinnacle of the night is just about to arrive.

It’s THE HOUSE.

You know THE HOUSE in the neighborhood where the home owners have spent weeks in preparation and hours of hard work to make over their welcoming home in to the house of horror. Where tulips bloomed in the springs, grave stones dot the front yard. A looming fog sits heavily about the once bright white picket fence. A red eyed crow peers down from an upstairs window. Blocking the sidewalk and driveway are characters layered in tattered clothing, disguised in atrocious masks holding weapons marked with their kill.

You as the parent move slowly while holding your child’s hand and reassuring them that there is nothing to be afraid of. You can feel fear stiffen their muscles and the suspense unexplainably has the same effect on you as you tensely head across the front of the house. Even though you know it’s coming, you’ve seen it before, year after year --- out jumps the Werewolf that sends both of you airborne. You both scream and run down the street. And then when you know you are out of harm’s way – you look back –you see the terror producers laughing and you chuckle too. You let out a knowing sigh, as they got you again.

This fall, a real predator has its eyes on you, waiting for the perfect environment to claim you as prey. It’s not a werewolf, or a vampire or some silly Halloween prank.

It’s the FLU.

And unlike those crazy people who want to get a “scare” out of you. The FLU wants to take your life from you. Maybe it’s only a week of your life as you lay in bed with fever and chills or maybe it is your life entirely. According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 30,000 people are hospitalized and 10,000 people die from the flu EVERY year.

The CDC recommends that everyone older than 6 months should receive an annual seasonal flu vaccination. For those younger than six months, take careful precautions to protect them from those that are sick or have a fever. Flu.gov provides in depth information on the dangers of flu and how you can protect yourself from its attack.

Don’t let the FLU be the DEATH of you this Halloween season. Get a Flu Shot today!