October Industry Highlight: Halloween Safety

We’ve all heard the annual Halloween safety tips- check your kids’ candy, make sure your kids can be seen, etc. However, since the pandemic the dynamics of safety have changed.

If you or your child is sick, take a back seat this year. With the number of little hands touching candy and sharing with everyone else without washing in between, one transmission could easily become an outbreak. If you have underlying health conditions, limit the amount of time you are near trick-or-treaters and avoid gatherings.

Trick-or-treat in small groups to avoid gathering at the door. Suggest that your child takes turns with friends when approaching homes.

When handing out candy, consider sitting outside and wear a mask when you greet trick-or-treaters. Make sure treats are pre-packaged. You can also put treats out at the end of the driveway for trick-or-treaters to take while you observe from the top of the driveway.

Stay safe during festive gatherings. Wear a mask indoors if possible or if you are not vaccinated. Better yet, incorporate it into your costume! (Never paint a protective mask) Be aware of those mummy-dogs, Frankenstein cookies, and other fun treats and drink concoctions. Make sure you are washing your hands frequently.

Basic Safety

We may hear it annually but it’s always good to remind ourselves AND our children!

Consider choosing a light-colored costume for your goblin or ghoul that’s easy to see at night. Add reflective tape or glow-in-the-dark tape/paint to the costume and trick-or-treat bag. Put a small flashlight in their bag.
Put a nametag with your phone number on your child’s costume.
The risk of kids being hit by a car is higher on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Make sure kids walk on sidewalks in well-lit areas, walk from house to house instead of running, and cross the street at crosswalks.
And of course, help kids check all treats to make sure they are sealed. Throw out any torn packaging, spoiled items and any homemade treats from someone you do not know.

For more tips, visit the Nemours Children’s Health website