How to be safe when fun is spooky

Traditional family activities like trick-or-treating create fun moments and memories, but the effects of COVID-19 on this Halloween will bring about huge changes for ghouls, goblins, princesses and superheroes.

You can still ensure a special night for your little ones in your neighborhood by following safety measures aimed at keeping everyone healthy on All Hallows’ Eve. Consider these tips for safe trick-or-treating from the experts at the National Safety Council and the well-known candy maker, Mars Wrigley.

Before the big day

• Buy individually-wrapped candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters. Fun-size packs are one of the easiest forms of candy for trick-or-treaters to grab and go.

• Create fun, individual candy goody bags for a no-touch option for trick-or-treaters.

• Make sure your yard is well-lit. Replace any burnt-out light bulbs.

• Create signs encouraging trick-or-treaters to stay 6 feet apart and display them in your yard.

• Don’t hand out treats if you are not feeling well.

• Consider socially-distanced options such as “trunk-or-treating,” during which prepackaged goodies are handed out, or a virtual costume parade.

During trick-or-treating

• Provide trick-or-treating care packs with hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and extra face masks.

• Help little ones clean their hands throughout the night.

• Maintain a distance of 6 feet from other groups of trick-or-treaters, allowing one group to collect candy at a time.

• Wear face masks and reflective tape on clothing and carry flashlights or glow sticks if you’re walking in the dark.

• Do “mask checks.” Stop in a safe place and make sure young children’s masks are covering their mouths and noses.

• Use sidewalks and crosswalks. Don’t cross the street between cars and be as visible as possible as drivers may be distracted.

• Consider setting up a grab-and-go “candy corner” for visitors, inclusive of hand sanitizer and treats.

After you’re done

• Wash your hands immediately when you get home.

• Sanitize candy wrappers before eating or let the new stash sit for 24 hours.

• Follow the “when in doubt, throw it out” rule. Throw away any candy that is open, ripped or has torn packaging, or has an unusual appearance or pinholes. Discard any homemade items from people you don’t know.

• Watch for choking hazards. If you have a young child, make sure candy he or she collected isn’t a choking hazard. If it is, discard it.

• Keep candy away from pets, especially chocolate and sugar-free gum, which can be poisonous for your furry friends.

Story courtesy FamilyFeatures.com