BY MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Halloween safety is likely more important than ever this year, especially in the era of COVID-19.
Angie Springs with Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas says federal health officials advise against going door-to-door trick or treating this year.
"We're in unprecedented times and really that requires us to think outside the box to keep everybody safe" Springs says "so the CDC is not recommending going door to door trick or treating or going out on those hay rides that we normally would do this time of year"
Springs says the CDC recommends family activities instead, such as carving pumpkins or even having a virtual Halloween costume contest.
"Carve or decorate pumpkins with those members in your household, maybe even do a virtual Halloween costume contest a lot of us now are in the virtual environment and virtual world so that is certainly something that we're all used to now" Springs adds
The CDC simply says the risk of COVID-19 is too great to stick to the traditional trick-or-treat Halloween evening or, for adults, going to those Halloween parties.
Springs says feel free to walk the neighborhood for exercise, but not for treats.
"The CDC does not recommend going door to door or doing those social interactions that we normally would do," says Springs "again and hopefully is that the more that we can socially distance and follow those CDC guidelines, the sooner that hopefully we'll get past this pandemic"
Below is a more extensive list of some of the CDC recommendations to do this Halloween season rather then being out trick or treating
AVOID THESE HIGH-RISK ACTIVITIES
Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door
Having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots
Attending crowded indoor costume parties
Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming
Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household
Using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgement and increase risky behaviors
Traveling to a fall festival that is not in your community if you live in an area with community spread of COVID-19
CELEBRATE WITH THESE LOWER-RISK ACTIVITIES
Carve or decorate pumpkins with members of your household
Carve or decorate pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
Decorate your living space
Do a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
Have a virtual Halloween costume contest
Have a Halloween movie night with people with whom you live
Have a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to