Safely celebrating Halloween is on everyone’s mind given the current rise in coronavirus infections. With the holiday rapidly approaching, Security Specialists urges parents to follow these “thirteen” basic safety and security rules  so that the trick-or-treat holiday doesn’t have a scary ending for you or your children.

1.For safely celebrating Halloween this year, the most important tips to remember to keep kids safe is wearing a mask and social distancing. Children and Adults, especially those who are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions should stay home and avoid large gatherings. Other basic safety tips include:

2. Stay home if you have any symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, headache, sore throat, fatigue, body aches, new loss of taste or smell, congestion, runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.

3. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

4. Don’t share food or candy

If You and Your Children are Looking for Safe Ways to Celebrate:

5. Consider a virutal event. Invite your child’s friends to a virtual party with activities such as a costume contest or pumpkin carving.

6. Instead of visiting a crowded public haunted house, create one in your own home. Your kids can help you decorate the house with pumpkins, ghosts made of pillowcases, and witch hats       made of paper, just to name a few ideas.

7. Create a scavenger hunt for candy and other fun knick-knacks around your house.

8. If your kids are older or love scary movies, kick back at home and watch Netflix or share ghost stories.

If You Decide to Go Trick-or-Treating:

9. Wear a mask, even outdoors.

10. Travel in small groups and avoid large gatherings.

11. If you are providing candy to trick-or-treaters, avoid having a giant bowl that multiple kids reach into. It’s safer to have an adult hand out candy individually.

12. Talk with your neighbors about “reverse trick-or-treating”: instead of having the kids go door to door, have them stand in their front yard showing off their costumes, while adults drive by and throw candy into their yard.

13. If you’re considering a trunk-or-treat event, make sure that the cars are parked more than six feet apart. Social distancing during these events is also key!

And remember, a mask that covers your child’s nose and mouth and has two or more layers will provide the best protection from COVID-19. Masks with vents or other holes in them do not provide enough protection. In addition to wearing a proper mask, it is important to stay at least six feet away from people who do not live in your household. Do NOT put a mask on children under 2 years old, someone who has difficulty breathing, or someone who cannot remove the mask themselves.

We at Security Specialists Want You and Your Children to Stay Safe This Halloween!