Halloween can be a dangerous holiday even without a global pandemic. This year, you’ll need to be on the lookout for pedestrians and taking COVID-19 precautions. Some families may stay home and off the road, but others may try scavenger hunts and alternative trick or treating options. Either way, you’ll need to stay alert and sober on the road.
We’ll break down our 2020 Halloween safety tips based on what you might be getting up to on All Hallow’s Eve.
TRICK OR TREATING
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised against traditional trick or treating. Still, some families may be going door to door from a distance. In fact, the CDC suggests leaving pre-packaged goodie bags on the front porch instead of handing out candy to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19, and many friends and family members are leaving Halloween themed gift bags at their loved ones’ doors.
Another alternative to trick or treating is a Halloween themed scavenger hunt. You might see families walking door to door just to admire decorations and see what kinds of spooky surprises they can spot.
As such, you will need to keep an eye out for pedestrians, especially young children, who may still be in costume. If you’re taking your family on an alternative trick or treating adventure, be sure to watch for cars and walk predictably, just as you would on any other Halloween.
Need a refresher on evergreen Halloween safety tips? Check out last year’s blog!
OUTDOOR COSTUME PARADES
If you get behind the wheel on Halloween night, another thing you might see is an outdoor costume parade. Participants should be 6 feet apart, so make sure you can spot the whole parade before you drive past. Keep a special eye out for stragglers who may be crossing the street.
If you’re attending a parade yourself, bring hand sanitizer, stay 6 feet away from people who aren’t in your household, and wear a mask. The CDC says a costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask “unless it is made of 2 or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around the face,” and the agency discourages wearing cloth masks under costume masks because it can interfere with breathing. The best option for staying safe and spooky may be wearing a Halloween-themed cloth mask.
As always, avoid flammable costumes and costumes that make it hard to walk. Consider wearing bright or reflective costumes to make yourself (and your children) more visible to cars.
PARTIES AND HAUNTED FORESTS
To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the CDC advises hosts to have their parties outside and limit the number of attendees. The agency also recommends choosing outdoor haunted forests instead of indoor haunted houses. If you think people will be screaming, however, you may want to add room for even more than 6 feet of distance. The farther apart you are, the less likely you will exchange airborne disease particles.
If you attend an outdoor party, scary movie night, or haunted forest, avoid using alcohol or drugs. These substances can cloud judgment and increase risky behavior, so you should skip them this year whether you’re planning on driving or not.
STAYING HOME
By far, the safest thing you can do this Halloween is stay at home, but it doesn’t have to be a drag. The CDC recommends the following lower risk activities:
- Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household
- Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
- Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
- Staying in and watching a scary movie with members of your household
- Doing a trick-or-treat “search,” so your little ones can hunt for treats in or around your home
As always, be careful in and around roadways and driveways and supervise children at all times.
Whether you go out or stay in, our team at Richardson Richardson Boudreaux PLLC wishes you a safe holiday.
We are also here for you if you or your children are harmed by someone who isn’t being as careful as you.
If anything goes wrong on your All Hallow’s Eve, please do not hesitate to call us at 918-492-7674 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Stay safe, spooky, and COVID-19 free!