While we all love and enjoy the traditions of Halloween, this year we need to be extra vigilant due to COVID-19. Traditional Halloween activities are fun, but some can increase the risk of getting or spreading COVID-19 or influenza. The following are some general recommendations curated from the CDC, OSHA, National Safety Council and more.

Make trick-or-treating safer:

• Plan your night ahead

• Wear bright colors or reflective tape

• Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters.

• Give out treats outdoors, if possible.

• Set up a station with individually sealed bagged treats (either stapled or taped) for kids to take.

• Wash hands before handling treats.

• Always check candy before eating it.

• Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping or entanglement.

• Consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives to masks.

• Stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you.

• Only go to homes with a porch light on

• Never enter a home or car for a treat

• Review with children how to call 9-1-1

• Establish a rally point for your family should kids become separated.

• Consider wiping down candy wrappers prior to opening.

Download the Safety Tip Below.

Safety tips for Halloween activities:

• Remember to always wear a cloth mask

• When indoors and outdoors, stay at least 6 feet away from others who don’t live with you.

• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently (at least 60% alcohol).

• When visiting a pumpkin patch, remember to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently, especially after touching frequently touched surfaces, pumpkins, apples, play toys, etc.

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.

• Put electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.

• Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.

• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.

• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

• Join kids under age 12 for trick-or-treating. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, tell them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.

• Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks. Never cross between parked cars or out of driveways.

• Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will.

• Keep it local and stay closer to home. If you developed a "pod" or "bubble" of close friends and family members, stick with visiting just those homes.

Trick or treating safety tips:

• Make your cloth mask part of your costume.

• A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask.

• Do NOT wear a costume mask over a cloth mask. It can make breathing more difficult.

• Masks should NOT be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing.

• Indoors and outdoors, you are more likely to get or spread COVID-19 when you are in close contact with others for a long time.

• Bring hand sanitizer with you and use it after touching objects or other people.

• Parents: supervise young children using hand sanitizer.

• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home and before you eat any treats.

Situational Awareness:

Do What Works for Your Family. There is no one right way. As long as you stick to the three main rules — maintain social distancing, wear a mask, and keep hands clean — then the rest is really up to you, your family, and your neighbors.

Stay Safe!