Halloween 2021 isn’t going to be canceled by COVID-19. While Federal health officials have given the ok to participate in Halloween events this year, it’s important to stay vigilant about COVID-19 safety. To help you and your family ensure that Halloween remains safe yet fun, here are some COVID-19 safety tips to remember:

Trick-or-treat outdoors

To protect younger children who haven’t been able to receive the vaccine yet, staying outdoors is your best bet. COVID-19 is much less likely to spread outdoors so avoid poorly ventilated indoor spaces.

Gather in small groups

Whether celebrating indoors or outdoors, it’s best to limit your gathering to a small group of vaccinated people. However, remember to take precautions like washing your hands, making sure you’re in a well-ventilated space and keeping some distance.

Wear a mask and keep your distance at large outdoor gatherings or indoor events

If you attend an outdoor or indoor event with a large crowd, keep a safe distance from others, wear a mask and sanitize and wash your hands frequently.

Wear a proper mask

Remember, a costume mask is not a substitute for a proper face covering that has multiple layers of breathable fabric or is a surgical-style mask

Offer prepackaged treats

If you are planning on handing out goodies at home, consider lining up prepackaged goodies on a table outside for children to easily grab and go to avoid long lines and clusters. Make sure to wash your hands before assembling the goodies. You could also opt for non-edible treats in consideration of kids with food allergies.

Other safety measures

In addition to COVID-19 safety measures, make sure to practice basic Halloween safety measures such as:

• First and foremost, remind your child to never enter a stranger’s home or car.
• If at all possible, a responsible adult should accompany young children on trick-or-treat routes.
• If your older children are going out alone, plan and review a route that’s agreed to before they leave.
• Establish an agreed-to time children should return home and remind them to walk not run across streets, always looking out for on-coming traffic.
• Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home.
• Always choose customs that are flame resistant.
• Make your child has a flashlight or glow stick to increase visibility at night. It’s also a good idea to fasten reflective tap to their customs and bags.
• Always check candy before your child eats it.
• Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends.
• For parents and adults who plan on being on the road during hours, make sure you watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.