Halloween may not seem as scary as last year with more people fully vaccinated against COVID-19. However, it’s still important to help keep trick-or-treating and other Halloween traditions safe, especially because many children are not eligible for the vaccine yet.
To help Parksville residents enjoy a safe and fun Halloween, the city has put together several tips:
Tips for going door-to-door:
-Stay home if you feel sick.
-Stick with outdoor trick-or-treating in small groups.
-Don’t crowd doorways, wait your turn and give others space to leave before approaching.
-Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often.
-When choosing a costume keep safety in mind. Make sure they are reflective if out after dark. Ensure vision is not compromised by hats, glasses or masks, that shoes fit and the costume is not a tripping hazard.
Tips for people who are handing out candy:
-Don’t hand out treats if your feel sick.
-Hand out individually wrapped or pre-packaged treats. Non-edible treats are a good option, especially for children who have food allergies.
-Use tongs or make a candy chute to give more space when handing out candy.
-Make your non-medical mask part of your costume. Costume masks should not be worn over non-medical masks as that may make it difficult to breathe.
-Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often.
Attending parties and community events:
-Consider taking part in outdoor events rather than indoor as they are safer.
-Rather than visiting a haunted house, visit a corn maze or pumpkin patch instead.
-If you choose to stay home with your family, create some Halloween fun with activities such as pumpkin carving and decorating, host a scavenger hunt in your home or yard, dress as your favourite movie character and watch movies.
-For indoor festivities, make sure everyone wears a face mask.
