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Tips for a Safe Halloween during COVID-19
As with many things this year, trick-or-treating needs to be handled differently to ensure health and safety. Use these tips to help prevent exposure to the coronavirus as well as avoid allergy, asthma and food allergy issues, before, during and after trick-or-treating.
Treat Givers
Wear a mask to answer the door and gloves to distribute candy. For a less-contact and self-serve option, move the treat bowl or box outside of your home and sitting inside the doorway to offer greeting to trick-or-treaters.
Facemask
Wear a cloth facemask when out in public, including during trick-or-treating. Remember to stay at least six feet away from others.
Hand Sanitizer
Carry hand sanitizer with you to use frequently, especially before touching your face and after touching shared surfaces such as doorbells or handles. Hands should always be washed with soap, before and after eating, especially if someone has a food allergy, and any time hands are visibly soiled.
Eczema and Face Paint
Use hypoallergenic face paint for costumes. Avoid face and grease paints if your child has chronic red, itchy skin.
Colored Hair Spray
If using colored hair spray, don't spray toward the face, and use it in a well-ventilated area to avoid irritating eyes and lungs.
Asthma and Trick-or-Treating
Consider pretreating for asthma. Emotions, such as excitement, cool air and dust can trigger asthma attacks in some children.
Safe Treats for the Road
Avoid the unknown, take a safe candy alternative with you as you are trick-or-treating.
Be Prepared for Emergencies
Always carry liquid or chew tab antihistamine and epinephrine with you if it was prescribed for your child’s food allergies and a rescue inhaler if prescribed for asthma.
Wait to Eat Treats
Wait to eat candy until you get home and can inspect it.
No Label, No Eat
Don’t eat candy that doesn’t have a label.
When in Doubt, Toss it Out
Don’t eat candy that shows any signs of tampering.
Missing Allergen Information
If candy labels don’t show allergen information, look up the candy’s ingredients online or throw it away.
Non-Food Treat Ideas
Offer non-food items for kids with food allergies. Ideas include pencils, crayons, rings, glow-in-the-dark necklaces & rings, spinning tops, sunglasses, small toys, hair bands, barrettes, puzzle booklets, handheld puzzles and yo-yos.
Teal Pumpkin
Consider putting a teal pumpkin on the doorstep or sign on the door to let trick-or-treaters know that you have allergy-safe treat options.
Halloween Treat Shopping Guide
Offer nut-free candy.
How to Manage Candy Intake
Try to balance candy consumption by allowing a piece or two a day instead of all-you-can-eat.