How to make trick or treat safe this year
Trick or treat is just around the corner.
But as we get our candy and costumes ready, we also have to get prepared to stay safe from COVID-19 this Halloween. Again.
Here are some tips from the Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter of the American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania region:
For trick-or-treaters
Mask up: You can make a cloth mask part of your costume. A costume mask won’t keep you safe from COVID. You also want to be sure not to put a cloth mask over a costume mask because that could make it difficult to breathe.
Stay outdoors: It’s best to plan your Halloween activities for outside, where the risk of COVID transmission is less.
Keep hands clean: Bring hand sanitizer with you while trick-or-treating and use it after
touching objects or other people. Wash your hands when you get home.
Steer clear of crowds: Try to avoid trick-or-treating in large groups.
If you’re handing out candy
Stay outside: Give out treats outdoors, if possible.
Keep treats safe: Avoid direct
contact with trick-or-treaters by setting up an area with individually bagged treats for kids to take. Wash your hands before handling treats.
Mask up: Wear a cloth mask.
General safety rules
Of course there are some ways you can stay safe in general for trick or treat. Here are some tips:
Stay seen: Make sure trick-ortreaters can see and be seen. Give kids a flashlight to light their way and consider adding reflective tape to costumes and trick-ortreat bags.
Plan the route: Know the trick-or-treat route in advance and make sure adults know where their children are going. A parent or responsible adult should accompany young children door-to-door.
Walk safely: Stay only on the sidewalks, not in the street. Avoid running. Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at the corner. Don’t cross between parked cars.
Door to door safety: Only visit homes that have a porch light on, and never go inside.
Candy inspection: Adults should check over the trick-ortreat haul.