With COVID-19 vaccines readily available and nearly 60% of the U.S. population fully vaccinated, Halloween may look a bit different than last year, but with the ongoing pandemic, there are still safety factors to consider when planning Halloween activities.

Here are some steps and things to consider helping keep you, your families and communities safe and healthy, whether you and your families are going out trick-or-treating or staying home to hand out candy.

Trick-or-Treating

• Make your cloth mask part of your costume. A costume mask is not a safe substitute for a cloth mask. Avoid wearing a costume mask over a cloth mask as it can make breathing difficult.
• Plan outdoor activities and avoid indoor events where the risk of virus transmission is higher.
• Bring hand sanitizer with you while trick-or-treating and use it after touching objects or other people. Wash your hands when you get home.
• Avoid trick-or-treating in large groups, and social distance from others around the neighborhood.
• Make sure trick-or-treaters can see and be seen. Give kids a flashlight to light their way and consider adding reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
• Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street. Avoid running. Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at the corner. Don’t cross between parked cars.
• Only visit homes that have a porch light on, and never go inside.
• Make sure a grown-up checks the goodies before eating. Make sure to remove loose candy, open packages and choking hazards. Discard any items with brand names that you are not familiar with.

Staying Home Handing Out Candy

• Give out treats outdoors, if possible.
• Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters by setting up an area with individually bagged treats for kids to take. Wash your hands before handling treats.
• Maintain social distancing and wear a cloth mask.
• Light the area well so young visitors can see.
• Sweep leaves from your sidewalks and steps. Clear your porch or front yard of obstacles someone could trip over

Read the Red Cross press release here