HALLOWEEN SAFETY
This year, it is strongly recommended not to trick-or-treat or hand out treats. If you do choose to trick-or treat, follow the measures below to do it more safely. Note that if the local situation changes, there is the possibility that these Halloween recommendations may change. Please be reminded that currently there are 28 active cases within the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, and 7 active cases in Massena, NY.
- Only trick or treat outside.
- Limit contacts:
- Go only with members of your direct household or chosen support person(s) if you live alone.
- Keep a minimum 2-metre distance from those outside of your household or chosen support person(s) if you live alone.
- Stay in your community: Avoid trick-or-treating in busy areas
- Do not congregate or linger at doorsteps. Line up two metres apart if waiting.
- Wear a face covering/mask:
- Choose a costume that allows you/your child to wear a non-medical mask.
- Consider building a face covering into your, or your child’s, costume.
- A costume mask is not a substitute for a face covering and should not be worn over a face covering as it may make it difficult to breathe.
- Make sure it is comfortable, so you or your child won’t need to adjust it.
- Avoid high-touch surfaces and objects:
- If you can, knock instead of pushing doorbells, or keep 2 metres from the door or porch and call “trick or treat”. Make sure the person calling is wearing a mask.
- Wait until you are home and have washed your hands before handling candy.
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly or use hand sanitizer:
- After touching high-touch surfaces like doorbells, doors, or railings.
- Before handling candy.
If you choose to hand out treats, follow these measures to do it more safely:
- Wear a face covering/mask.
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly or use hand sanitizer.
- Keep a healthy distance from trick-or-treaters.
- Ask trick-or-treaters to knock instead of ringing the doorbell.
- If possible, hand out candy from the driveway, open garage, or lawn instead of your front door.
- Encourage trick-or-treaters to line up two metres apart while waiting by placing markers on the ground.
- Use a table or desk to keep a safe distance from trick-or-treaters.
- Avoid handling treats:
- Do not leave self-serve bowls of bulk treats.
- Use prepackaged candy or items (no homemade treats). Hand treats out directly from the package they came in.
- Consider using tongs, or other similar tools to hand out treats.
- Make candy bundles/bags and space them out on a table or blanket outside for trick-or-treaters to take.
- Get creative! Build a candy slide down your front steps or railing! Build a (safe) candy catapult or hang individually wrapped treats on trees or shrubs in your yard. There are many fun ways to hand out treats while maintaining physical distance.
If you or your children are sick or self-isolating, don’t go out trick-or-treating and don’t hand out treats. Stay at home and turn off your porch light to discourage trick-or-treaters from coming to the door.
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