Usually when talking about Halloween safety, we talk about watching for cars or not eating too much candy. This year, however, we have another worry – COVID-19.
Although the CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health are not suggesting Halloween be cancelled, they offer suggestions to help families stay healthy and stop the spread of COVID-19.
The CDC suggests that instead of the usual Halloween party or Trick-or-Treating, try some of these lower risk ways to enjoy Halloween:
- Host a virtual Halloween party. Encourage friends and neighbors to decorate their homes, wear their scariest costumes, or carve or decorate pumpkins. Post photos and vote for the best, scariest, most creative pumpkins, costumes or decorations.
- Host an outdoor costume parade where people are distanced more than 6 feet apart.
- Participate in one-way trick-or-treating with individually wrapped goodie bags lined up for families to grab.
- Host a family Halloween scavenger hunt or Bingo game. Give children a list of Halloween-themed items to look for and give treats when they find them all.
Stay home if you do not feel well or if you may have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19 symptoms in the previous two weeks. If kids are going trick-or-treating, have them wear a cloth mask, stay at least six feet from others, wash their hands frequently and follow safety recommendations.
- Wear bright and reflective costumes that fit well and are short enough to prevent tripping.
- Use flashlights to help trick-or-treaters see.
- Go trick-or-treating with family or friends who you are confident have not been exposed to COVID-19.
- Accept treats at a safe distance; do not go onto a porch or into a home.
- Only go to homes that have lights on or otherwise indicate they welcome trick-or-treaters.
- Inspect treats carefully before eating. Use caution if wiping packaging with disinfecting wipes. Do not eat candy if packaging is torn. Wash hands thoroughly before eating treats.
Visit www.cdc.gov for additional suggestions to have a safe and enjoyable Halloween.
We expect fewer homes than usual to be giving out treats, and Roseville’s curfew law applies on Halloween. Youths 15 years or younger must be indoors by 10 p.m. Teenagers, 16 and 17 years old, must be indoors by midnight. Visit www.cityofroseville.com/1376/Halloween-Safety for more Halloween safety tips.