Some traditional Halloween activities are riskier than others due to COVID-19. But if you will be trick-or-treating this weekend, there are several steps you can take to make it a safer experience for all, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those include:
- Reduce direct contact. The CDC recommends avoiding direct contact (if possible) with trick-or-treaters and giving treats outside. Setting a station up with individually prepared bags is preferred. All should wash hands before handling treats and wear a mask when handing out, preparing or receiving treats.
- Wear a cloth face mask and make it part of your costume. Costume masks aren’t a substitute. Anyone who has difficulty breathing and children younger than 2 years old should not wear a mask.
- Stay away from people not from your household. Practice social distancing (six feet apart) whether indoors or outdoors.
- Clean your hands. Use hand sanitizer after touching surfaces or other people. Make sure to wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before eating Halloween treats.
If trick-or-treating is off the holiday list due to health concerns, you can still enjoy Halloween by:
- Decorating or carving pumpkins;
- Visiting a pumpkin patch or corn maze; and
- Holding a Halloween movie night indoors with household members or outside with friends and neighbors.
The Florida Department of Health, which is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. For more information, visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.
