With many children’s favourite holiday fast approaching, now is the time to prepare yourself for October 31—so you get all the treats and none of the tricks. The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) has released information to their website on how to keep this year’s Halloween fun and safe as the COVID-19 pandemic lurks in the shadows.
If you are sick or having to self-isolate, the BCCDC is recommending you turn off your porch lights and stay home. If you are feeling healthy, and you’re out trick-or-treating, and you see the lights turned off, respect the homes and residents by staying away.
The BCCDC is also saying it’s important to stick to your local neighbourhoods, and to avoid busy areas and the indoors. They also suggest trick-or-treating in small groups up to six people, and to wash your hands before you go out, when you get home, and before eating any of the candy.
For handing out candy, the BCCDC is says to get creative by using items like tongs, baking sheets, or even by making a “candy slide” instead of offering a shared bowl.
They also recommend being outside more than inside when handing out treats, so kids won’t need to touch the door or doorbell. If you are unable to be outside to hand out candy, then you should clean and disinfect the doorbells, knobs, and any other high contact surface frequently throughout the night.
Along with tips on safely trick-or-treating, the BCCDC recommends skipping out on Halloween parties this year.
“Indoor gatherings, big or small, put people at high risk of getting COVID-19,” their website says.
They recommend celebrating the holiday by watching your favourite Halloween movie with your household or a small group.
Can’t go to the midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show? Host your own screening with costume and space to dance the Time Warp with the people in your bubble.
While we live in a new type of normal, it is important we practice the best ways possible to keep ourselves and our neighbours safe this October 31st so we can all have a safe and spooky Halloween.
