It’s officially spooky
season! You know what that means — colder weather, scary movies, pumpkin
carving, candy and everything in between.
Though traditional
holiday celebrations may look slightly different this year, we’ve got a few
tips and tricks up our sleeve to keep you, your family and your neighbors safe
while still squeezing in those beloved thrills and chills.
Holidays are a cause for
celebration but remember, your family’s health and safety always comes first.
It’s entirely possible to
stay safe and still have fun celebrating Halloween. The trick is to understand
the risks, take simple precautions and follow all guidelines issued by
the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC).
The following tips can
also help you plan the best way for your family to partake in the
festivities.
Prepare
your children
Though this year’s
Halloween will not be quite what your children are used to, talk to them about
the importance of staying safe while celebrating. As every child responds differently to change,
help them understand and create a safe space for open conversation. And
remember to be patient as they learn to cope.
Know
the risks
As fun as it is to go
trick-or-treating and attend costume parties, the safest way to celebrate
Halloween this year is at home with your family or household. To protect yourself
from COVID-19 and help prevent the spread in your community, strongly consider
celebrating at home.
This is especially
important if anyone in your household or close circle is considered at high risk of facing serious
complications should they get COVID-19. Fortunately, there are
a variety of activities and ways to celebrate at home and virtually to keep the
Halloween spirit alive.
Don’t be afraid to say
“no” if you are invited to Halloween parties, outings or trick-or-treating
events — your friends and family will understand that your health is what is
truly important.
Get
creative with low-risk festivities
According to the CDC’s Halloween guidelines,
engaging in fun, yet safe, alternative activities that pose a lower risk of
spreading the COVID-19 virus is highly encouraged and recommended. The safest
options include activities that take place at home or outdoors with your own
household.
Year after year, the best
part about Halloween (aside from the unlimited supply of candy, of course) is
getting to put on a crazy, creative costume for one night. If you’re looking
for a fun and safe way to show off your ensemble, host a virtual Halloween
costume contest with all your friends and family. May the best costume win.
If dressing up isn’t your
style, try another CDC-recommended lower risk activity like:
·
Carving and decorating pumpkins with those in your household and
displaying them outside
·
Decorating your home — think spider webs, skeletons, pumpkins
and you guessed it, candy
·
Planning a scavenger hunt or trick-or-treat search adventure for
your kids inside of your household. This is a great alternative to going door
to door around your neighborhood.
·
Hosting a Halloween movie night with members of your household.
This can be a great time to explore all of the fun recipes and DIY crafts
you’ve saved on Pinterest.
As you can see, there are
plenty of ways to keep the spooky spirit in the air while having fun and staying
safe.
Avoid
moderate and high-risk activities
Although your safest
option for celebrating this Halloween season is to stay home, the CDC has also
shared guidelines should you choose to celebrate outside of the house.
If you do decide to go
trick-or-treating or attend a Halloween party, do so in the safest way possible
for your own safety and that of those around you.
At this point, we’re no
strangers to masks, hand hygiene and social distancing. All of these guidelines
apply to any type of Halloween festivities you might participate in. Below are
a few additional Halloween-specific recommendations to keep in mind.
·
Costume masks: If
you’re choosing to dress up or have a little one in a costume, keep in mind
that costume masks are not a substitute for cloth face masks unless
it contains two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the nose and
mouth, without gaps around the face.
·
Outdoor activities: In
general, outdoor activities are considered lower risk than those indoor (unless
they only involve members of your household). So, opt for outdoors when
possible and if you are celebrating around the neighborhood, be sure to keep 6
feet apart from any other families or groups you encounter — for both your
safety and theirs.
·
Candy: If you choose to give out
candy or trick-or-treat in any way, be aware that all candy should be
individually wrapped. Toss out any candy you or your child receives that is
not. Be sure to wipe down the outside of each piece with a disinfecting wipe
before unwrapping, then, enjoy!
·
Screaming: If screaming is
likely to occur while playing a movie, attending a costume party or
trick-or-treating, a greater distance is advised. The greater the distance, the
lower the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus.
·
If you feel sick: Use
common sense when planning activities. If you or a little one feels sick or may
have been exposed to someone with the virus, stay home to protect your family and
neighbors and do not participate in any in-person festivities. Make sure you
know what to do if someone in your household
starts showing COVID-19 symptoms.
Lastly, wash your hands
before, during and after any activities.
Moderate-risk
festivities
The CDC categorizes the
following activities as moderate-risk:
·
Participating in one-way trick-or-treating — place individually
wrapped candy or goodie bags at the edge of a yard or driveway for families to
grab-and-go while practicing social distancing. If you are preparing the bags,
wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after.
·
Hosting a small, outdoor costume parade while practicing social
distancing.
·
Attending a costume party held outdoors where protective masks
are worn and social distancing is enforced.
·
Visiting pumpkin patches or apple orchards where people use hand
sanitizer before touching or picking pumpkins and apples, wearing masks is
enforced and social distancing is maintained
·
Hosting an outdoor Halloween movie night with family, friends or
neighbors with people spaced out by at least 6 feet
High-risk
festivities
In accordance with the
CDC, it’s best to avoid these high-risk activities to help prevent the spread
of the virus. Although the traditional holiday festivities are far from normal
this year, it is important to remain mindful and respectful of ourselves and
the health of others.
These high-risk Halloween
activities include:
·
Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where candy and
treats are handed to children going door to door. If you choose to hand out
candy, be sure to wear a mask and use tongs to drop the candy into each child’s
bag. If you choose to go door to door, don’t linger too long, wear a mask and
make sure your children wait to eat the candy until it has been wiped
down.
·
Participating in a trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out
from trunks of cars lined up in a parking lot
·
Attending indoor costume parties that will be crowded. Parties
involving more than one household are not recommended. If you do choose to host
or attend a Halloween party, keep these tips in mind:
1. Avoid
no-mask parties and keep your masks on as much as possible
2. If
eating or drinking, step away from other people and be sure to replace your
mask quickly
3. Avoid
buffet-style food
4. Spend
time outdoors as much as possible
·
Going to an indoor haunted house where people will be crowded
together and screaming
·
Going on hayrides with people who are not in your
household
·
Using alcohol or drugs, which can increase risky behaviors
Think twice before you
agree to or plan any fall holiday activities. Safety should always be your
number one priority — and holidays are no exception. Y’all Stay
Safe!
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