Halloween is right around the corner, but the holiday is going to look different with COVID-19 still around. With much of the spring and summer spent social distancing, many families are determined to celebrate Halloween this year by trick-or-treating. While it’s an activity that’s certainly less risky than crowded indoor gatherings, it does not come without its own risks. Therefore, it is important to heed advice from health experts to preserve trick-or-treat safety before practicing this beloved Halloween tradition.

Here at Beacon Lake, we want to ensure our residents make the most of the holiday while prioritizing safety. That’s why we’ve gathered advice from health experts for families to take advantage of while collecting candy this year. Here are some actions trick-or-treaters should be taking in light of the health crisis:

• Wear a mask: If multiple families are out trick-or-treating, it stands to reason the streets might become crowded. Social distancing may not be possible, so it’s best to wear a mask. This will reduce the likelihood of germs spreading. (Luckily, it’s Halloween — what better holiday is there to mask up?)
• Stay in your neighborhood: This Halloween is not the time to travel to other neighborhoods to collect candy. The CDC warns that this is one of the riskiest moves those celebrating Halloween can make. Since community infection rates vary, traveling could create outbreaks in neighborhoods that were otherwise unaffected.
• Stick to small groups: The larger your trick-or-treating group, the less safe your situation becomes. CDC officials recommend trick-or-treating in small groups of people you trust.
• No sharing: It may feel strange telling your kids not to share with others, but it’s necessary to do so. Make sure everyone in your group knows not to pass around candy baskets, candy, or costume props to one another.
• Practice good hygiene: Even if sharing is kept to a minimum, it’s likely your group will still be touching candy, doorbells, and other surfaces. Make sure to pack hand sanitizer and use it regularly, and wash your hands whenever possible.

Parents accompanying their children trick-or-treating will be able to remind them of the ground rules. If your children are going on their own, make sure they understand the steps they need to take to stay safe. Infectious disease doctor Sandra Kesh, M.D., also recommends having them wait before opening and eating candy.

“It isn’t thought to be transmitted this way, but we always worry about the risk of touching something that’s carrying infected matter,” Dr. Kesh told Good Housekeeping. “Try to really encourage your kids to hold off on eating candy until you get home, and make sure they wash their hands first.”

It’s also critical to never go trick-or-treating if someone in your family has symptoms or doesn’t feel well. Stay home and celebrate there instead.

Giving Out Candy Safely

Of course, the other side of trick-or-treating needs to be handled with equal care this year. Remember, there’s no obligation to give out candy, and you’re unlikely to be judged for opting out under the circumstances.

If you do decide to welcome trick-or-treaters, it’s important to consider your safety and theirs. If you’re giving candy out in person, make sure to wear a mask and have minimal contact with those at your door. Keep all interactions outside and distance as much as possible.

Candy bowls work just as well. Leaving one out won’t require face-to-face contact. Packaging individual candy bags for trick-or-treaters will also make it so they don’t need to dig through the candy bowl with their hands.

Cleaning your door and doorbell once trick-or-treating has ended could also prove beneficial to your own health.

Trick-or-Treating Alternatives

Beacon Lake residents feeling iffy about trick-or-treating can find alternative ways to celebrate Halloween this year. The community is hosting two events to get residents in the Halloween spirit: pumpkin designing and a trunk-or-treat movie event.

On Saturday, October 24, Beacon Lake will host its pumpkin design event, where guests can gather on the lawn and decorate pumpkins together. The event will be outside and socially distanced, but it will offer a fun way to celebrate the holiday as a community.

On Friday, October 30, the community will host a trunk-or-treat movie event where residents can give out candy from the trunks of their cars. Family-favorite film, Hocus Pocus, will play at 7 p.m., giving children and adults something to enjoy after collecting their candy.

Other alternative ways to celebrate Halloween include at-home movie nights, pumpkin carving or painting, having a virtual costume contest, holding a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt, and decorating your living space. It all depends on your level of comfort, but the most important thing is to stay as safe as possible while having fun!