Halloween is a festive occasion every year, marked by themed decorations, imaginative costumes, and lots of delicious sweets for your children. This year’s Halloween comes with an uncertain twist, as the coronavirus pandemic impacted our usual activities and traditions. Many past holidays, from Easter to Canada Day, had been downsized because of COVID-19. Due to the current circumstances, Halloween is likely to face a similar treatment.
In certain Canadian regions, health officials have advised against kids trick or treating door-to-door this year. For other areas that were given the green light, parents should still abide by the coronavirus protocols and take Halloween safety precautions seriously. During these unprecedented times, our expectations for Halloween festivities may need to be adjusted. A low-key approach on October 31st can be safer, easier, and more positive for your mental health.
How do you stay safe on Halloween and manage your COVID-19 stress? We have compiled the following guide to help you ease the pressure and stay safe on Halloween.
1. Turn trick or treating into an indoor candy hunt.
Trick or treating is a classic hallmark of Halloween, one that your child might be hopeful about participating. Your child may be a little disappointed if the event was outright cancelled this year. As parents, you feel conflicted between exercising caution and maintaining a sense of normalcy in your child’s routine. Whether you decide to go outside or stay indoors for Halloween, the decision can cause stress and anxiety for your family.
If you decide to stay home, try your best to preserve the spirit of Halloween. With some creativity, you can take several Halloween traditions and still integrate them within a home environment. For example, why not put a modern twist to trick or treating and turn this event into an indoor candy hunt? Dress your children in a Halloween costume, lead them from room to room inside your house, and begin the search for their favourite candies!
For a more immersive experience, you can create clues, draw treasure maps, or design a simple puzzle for your child to unlock the delicious prizes. There are other games and variations too, but the general idea is to make this year’s Halloween a unique experience. Your family may end up having so much fun, creating cherished memories that you can look back fondly for years to come.
2. Spend the day on indoor Halloween activities.
We tend to focus on trick or treating as the main event on Halloween. However, there are many other activities and popular traditions that define this special day. This year could be a great time to try out some new and exciting Halloween traditions, such as pumpkin carving. Many kids love to decorate their own pumpkins, demonstrating a wonderfully elaborate imagination that may amaze you as a parent.
Other traditions include baking cookies that take the shape of bats, witches, and happy Jack-o’-lantern faces. You can also watch Halloween movies and TV programs, accessorize the front yard with themed decorations, or host a virtual costume party to show off your outfit. All these activities take place within the comfort of your home, allowing you to bring a slice of the lively Halloween festivities indoors.
3. Maintain social distancing if you go trick or treating.
For parents who want to take their kids trick or treating, you should be vigilant about Halloween safety. Make sure your children understand the importance of wearing a mask, sanitizing their hands, and maintaining a safe distance from crowds. These safety measures can help to protect your family from the virus. When you have taken the necessary precautions, you’ll be more psychologically prepared and feel more positive during COVID-19.
Social distancing is particularly important for how to stay safe on Halloween. Always do your best to avoid large crowds and maintain a distance from other kids or families. If there are a few people ahead of you at a house, stand back and wait until they leave. Not only will social distancing keep you safe, but the other families will also appreciate your courtesy.
4. Design a face covering as part of your Halloween costume.
Wearing a mask is critical in preventing the spread of a respiratory illness like COVID-19. Masks are particularly useful in combating COVID-19 in schools and confined indoor spaces. Although the virus is more difficult to spread outdoors, you are still advised to wear a face covering for protection. You will be around a lot of people when trick or treating, and the mask can help to maximize your safety.
Funnily enough, it makes sense for many Halloween costumes to have a masked component. This means you already have a built-in reason to wear the face covering. If possible, try to be creative with your design and incorporate the mask as part of your Halloween costume. This is a fun, clever, and safe way to shield yourself from COVID-19.
5. Clean your hands and sanitize any Halloween treats.
One of the most important Halloween safety tips amid COVID-19 is practicing hand hygiene. You should carry a bottle of hand sanitizer, which can be used to disinfect your hands after touching the door or the doorbell. As soon as you return home, it is essential that you wash your hands with hot water and anti-bacterial soap for 30 seconds. Even if you wore gloves, you need to wash your hands diligently once you return home.
In addition, it is a good idea to wipe down your treats, goodie bags, and anything else you received when trick or treating. This can be done with a Lysol wipe or a paper drenched in anti-bacterial spray. You can also leave your candy alone in a secluded room, waiting at least a few days for any contaminants to die off.
6. Stay positive and stress-free on Halloween.
No matter which Halloween activity you partake in, this year’s festivities will be unlike any other that you experienced before. The amount of uncertainty could cause some degree of anxiety among children and parents. During the pandemic, an important tip is to stay positive and focus on your mental health. Any time you feel overly stressed, you can always talk to a counselling service, which offers expert guidance from mental health professionals.
As we wait for COVID-19 to make its grand exit from society, a positive mindset will be one of your strongest assets for this Halloween. Even if the festivities might have a different vibe, use this opportunity to try out different activities or create new traditions. Remember that Halloween is meant to be a fun event, and you have many ways to make positive memories. A year from now, you may look back at this unique Halloween and remember how special it truly was!