Keeping costumes safe, checking candies before your child digs in and making sure your home is trick-or-treating friendly are all important steps we take every year to help ensure a safe and happy Halloween for children and their grown-ups.
This year is no different, follow the safety tips below, including a few extra COVID-19 precautions:
Choose smaller local activities over large parties or events, and stay safe if trick-or-treating by avoiding close contact with people outside of your household. Consider celebrating with a family pumpkin-carving or decorating contest or a scavenger hunt outdoors with a small group. Find more ideas for safer ways to celebrate the holiday in Tri-County Health Department’s (TCHD) Halloween Guidance.
Trick-or-Treat safely by requiring that young children remain with an adult, keeping your group small and limiting the number of houses you visit. Families should use hand sanitizer frequently and wear a cloth face mask – make it part of the costume to make it fun – remember costume masks do not offer protection against COVID-19. As always, children should only accept wrapped or packaged candy, carry a flashlight or glow sticks and walk on sidewalks on well-lit streets, and watch for vehicles when crossing streets or driveways. For more trick-or-treat safety tips visit TCHD Halloween Guidance and the National Safety Council.
Make your home safe to visit by turning on exterior lights and greeting trick-or-treaters from at least six feet away. Provide individual treat bags to children rather than a bowl of candy that everyone reaches into. Give wrapped or packaged candy only. Remove objects from your porch and yard that may be hazardous to visitors. Restrain pets so they do not bite or jump up on children. Find more tips for keeping you and your neighbors healthy while handing out candy
Be especially alert when driving in residential neighborhoods. Drive slowly and anticipate pedestrian traffic. Remember, costumes can limit a child’s visibility and they may not be able to see your vehicle.
Be aware of suspicious activity by reporting any suspicious criminal activity to your local law enforcement agency.
Review full Halloween guidance from the Tri-County Health Department and the Colorado Department of Health and Environment.