Halloween is right around the corner, and this year it falls on a weekend! However, this year we’ve already been faced with our fair share of scary things. We thought by now we would have this virus under control, which means this year’s Halloween is going to be different that’s for sure. Many traditional ways of celebrating are now considered more risky and unsafe than usual, because of the risk of spreading the virus.
Therefore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued new guidelines on how to celebrate Halloween safely. Many Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses. However, there are several safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween. We here at LSS Life Safety Services, provide our customers with both fire and life safety! Therefore, wanted to share a list of tips from NFPA and the CDC on things you can do this year to plan for a fun and safe Halloween.
Fire Safety:
- When choosing a costume, stay away from long trailing fabric.
- Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume.
- Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper catch fire easily. Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters.
- Use a battery-operated candle or glow-stick in jack-o-lanterns. If you use a real candle, use extreme caution. When lighting candles inside jack-o-lanterns, use long, fireplace-style matches or a utility lighter. Be sure to place lit pumpkins well away from anything that can burn and far enough out of the way of children, trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, walkways and yards.
- Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes.
- Make sure all smoke alarms in the home are working.
- Tell children to stay away from open flames including jack-o-lanterns with candles in them. Be sure they know how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire. (Have them practice)
Life Safety:
These low risk activities are the best ways to keep you and your loved ones safe.
- Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with members of your household, neighbors or friends
- Have a Halloween-themed room decorating contest with the people you live with
- Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt, while walking outdoors and admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
- Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
- Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
- Trick-or-treat with your household members in or around your home
- Hide Halloween treats in and around your house. Hold a Halloween scavenger hunt with household members.
For those of us who may still be planning on passing our candy or taking their children to go trick-or-treating, please keep these things in mind.
Passing Out Candy:
- Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters.
- Give out treats outdoors, if possible.
- Set up a station with individually bagged treats for kids to take.
- Wash hands before handling treats.
- Wear a mask.
Trick-or-Treating:
- 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
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you
- Bring hand sanitizer with you and use it after touching objects or other people.
- You should be using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Parents: should 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.
If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween activities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters. For more tips on how to have a safe Halloween, please visit the CDC website.
We hope everyone will have a fun and safe Halloween this year!