More than 40% of Canadians surveyed said Halloween is their favourite holiday. These days, Public Health Officials are keeping a close eye on “the numbers” to determine what the best way to have Halloween celebrations this year. Even knowing that we have been given the go ahead to take the kids out trick or treating, it’s important to consider celebrating the idea of Halloween a little differently, so it’s “distanced” and safe.
If you are thinking of taking the kids out consider:
- Buying treats for your kids and then spending the evening exploring spooky decorations in the neighbourhood.
- Limiting the group size to 2 or 3 friends already in your family’s social sphere.
- Visiting only homes of people in your “bubble” or in a child’s school cohort.
- Spacing out so you are not crowded on a porch.
- Encouraging kids to wear disposable gloves and bring hand sanitizer.
- Making a cloth-style safety mask part of the costume. Halloween masks are not a good replacement for a cloth mask.
- Stashing the candy haul away for at least a week to eliminate contamination risk, once you return home.
If you’re planning on sharing treats:
- Sanitize railings, doors, and the mailbox as an extra precaution.
- Put goodies in grab and go bags.
- Provide hand sanitizer.
Also don’t forget that clocks FALL BACK on November 1st! That means if you are up late, you get one extra hour of Halloween this year!
If you are planning on staying in:
- Put together a list of your favourite Halloween movies you are going to want to watch!
- Bake some treats.
- Do a scavenger hunt in your house and/or backyard.
- Have a crafts night