As families across the country including right here in Northeast Florida are preparing for Halloween festivities tonight, many are talking about wearing masks and the fear that comes along with this spooky holiday…but not in the traditional sense. The conversation this year is surrounding mask-wearing and the spread of the COVID-19 virus that is looming over this typically fun-filled event. Halloween is supposed to be a little scary. And of course part of the fun in dressing up is wearing a mask. But this year is indeed different.
Many parents are concerned and still contemplating even today whether they should allow their little ghosts and goblins to Trick-or-Treat tonight. It’s a valid concern after all. Here are some suggestions and recommendation to ensure you and your family enjoy a safe and happy Halloween:
According to healthychildren.org, families should continue doing what we’ve all been doing during this pandemic which includes social distancing six feet from others, wearing masks or face coverings and washing hands frequently. But in addition, if traditional Trick-or-Treating is what your neighborhood will be participating in, consider setting up a table at the end of your driveway and lining up individually wrapped goodies for children to take. Some families have decided to create their own Halloween candy chute by decorating old wrapping paper tubes or something similar and creatively distributing candy through the cylinder. You can even consider having a “slime” pump (also known as hand sanitizer) on the table in case those unruly little pumpkins decide to break into some candy before getting home and washing their hands.
While it’s still unclear how the virus lives on surfaces, doctors are also recommending wiping packages before allowing your children to open and enjoy the goodies or even just letting them sit for a couple of days before sharing them with your child.
For neighborhoods who are not allowing Trick-or-Treating this year, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy this creative holiday.
- Host a spooky movie night in the front yard where friends can dress up, socially distance and enjoy a movie under the stars.
- Decorate pumpkins with markers, carving or paint. Roast the pumpkin seeds from inside for a healthy and delicious snack!
- Celebrate as a family at home by making your own Halloween-themed goodies. Pinterest is a great resource for finding fun and delicious recipes for Halloween.
Overall, it’s a good idea to avoid crowds and of course wear a mask (which should be easy to do on Halloween!) And while most of us are focused on the COVID precautions, don’t forget the typical safety measures. Be sure to use a flash light or reflective tape, remind your children about crossing the street safely and looking out for cars, and check that costumes fit properly to avoid any falls!
We wish you all a SAFE and HAPPY HALLOWEEN! OH…and be sure to post some of your Halloween costumes on our Facebook page! We’d love to see them!
