By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
After children were unable to go out trick or treating last year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, they will return this year, walking door-to-door, asking for candy.
Executive Director Greater Kansas City/northwest Missouri chapter of the Red Cross Randee Krumwiede says that in the midst of the pandemic, trick or treating might look a little different this year, as the Red Cross advises some extra safety precautions, such as masking up.
"Making the cloth mask as part of your costume for your children, a costume mask is not a safe substitute for a cloth mask," Krumwiede tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And so we want to really avoid wearing that costume mask also over the cloth mask as it can make breathing a little bit difficult, so just kind of reminding to wear our masks and mask up as we go out trick or treating."
She also advises people to not trick or treat in large groups, and to be sure to hand sanitize after every stop.
Krumwiede says the Red Cross doesn't want to ruin the fun of the season, however.
"We just want people to be safe, we certainly don't want to interrupt the fun and we want kids to have a good time trick or treating, but just really want to emphasize that the pandemic is real, it's still there," Krumwiede says.
Krumwiede advises parents to make sure their kids still wear the cloth mask, as well as washing their hands at home and sanitizing between stops.
"Just the basic stuff that we've been really vigilant and diligent about over Halloween is here and the American Red Cross is advising kids to stay safe as they return to trick or treating after being forced inside last year due to the pandemic.
Krumwiede says there is one safety tip that will never change, make sure that you can be seen and carry a flashlight.
"Kids love to carry flashlights anyways, so what a fun way to add to the holiday experience and keep themselves safe as well," Krumwiede says. "Also, might want to add reflective tape, you know put that reflective tape on our costumes, or around your trick or treat bags, anything that can just alert attention that there's a child there so we can be safer."
You can find more Halloween safety tips from the Red cross HERE.