Because of the pandemic, everything looks a little different this year, and that includes our holiday plans. With Halloween fast approaching, we wanted to share some important information about how to stay healthy while also enjoying this spooky holiday with your children and neighbors. You can still take your kids trick or treating, but we hope you’ll follow these safety tips from the CDC to ensure safety in the process.
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Avoid direct contact with trick or treaters, and those handing out candy
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Give treats outdoors whenever possible
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Wash hands thoroughly before handling treats
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Wear a mask
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Set up a candy station with individually-wrapped treats for children to take without having to get close
Face Coverings for Safety
If there’s a way to incorporate your cloth mask into your Halloween costume, do this! Remember that per the CDC, a costume mask is not a viable substitute for a cloth mask. It is also not recommended that you wear a costume mask over your cloth mask, as this can make it more difficult to breathe.
Other Tips for Safe Trick or Treating
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Maintain a safe distance of 6 feet or more, both indoors and outdoors. Proximity to others for extended periods of time makes the spread of COVID-19 more likely.
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Stay on top of hand washing! Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water when you get home, and of course before you eat any Halloween treats.
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Take hand sanitizer with you while you trick or treat. Use the hand sanitizer any time you or your kids come into contact with others, or touch objects like candy bowls, etc.
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Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Safe Halloween Activities to Try This Year
Trick or treating aside, there are lots of other fun activities you can try with your family to celebrate this year. Here are some of our favorite ideas at NiteOwl Pediatrics:
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Decorate your home with fun Halloween decorations alongside your family.
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Have a backyard bonfire, and share spooky stories.
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Have a socially distanced pumpkin carving contest with your friends neighbors. Let everyone vote for a winner!
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Organize an outdoor, Halloween-themed scavenger hunt.
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Host an outdoor movie night with friends and neighbors.
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Host an outdoor costume contest and parade in your neighborhood to let the kids (and interested adults) show off their costumes.
No matter how you choose to celebrate Halloween this year, we hope you enjoy a safe, fun time with the ones you love the most. Check out these CDC steps to take when trick or treating before you make the rounds, and of course, contact our team or schedule an appointment whenever you need us! We’re open late.