The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit and the Chatham-Kent Police Service have released some Halloween safety tips for the community.
CK Public Health officials say Halloween may look different this year in Chatham-Kent, but if done safely, it can still be fun for your family.
“We need to be realistic and allow some normality while still following public health guidance this Halloween,” stated Dr. David Colby, Medical Officer of Health in Chatham-Kent, in a media release.
“COVID-19 does not hide or go away on holidays, and we as a community must remain vigilant.”
CK Public Health officials are asking residents to please consider the following recommendations before celebrating Halloween this year:
– Trick-or-treat outside with your household in your community only – Stay with your household while trick or treating, limit the number of houses you visit and stay within your neighbourhood to avoid large potential COVID-19 exposure.
– Trick-or-treat at a distance – While trick-or-treating with your household, ensure that you physically distance (2 metres) from others while collecting treats.
– Wear a face covering – Everyone who is trick-or-treating or handing out treats should wear a face covering. A costume mask is not designed to stop the spread of COVID-19, and may prevent you from being able to see or breathe. Consider building your face covering into your costume!
– Practice proper hand hygiene – Carry hand sanitizer while trick-or-treating, and wash your hands before going out and when coming home. If you are handing out treats, wash hands often!
– Use non-touch methods for handing out treats: Do not use self-serve candy bowls: consider using a fun, not touch delivery method for candy such as a slide, catapult, candy bags or tongs.
– Check treats before eating – Before eating or investigating your treats, have a trusted adult (who has washed their hands) inspect them first.
– Avoid parties and gatherings – Parties and gatherings have the potential to cause widespread exposure of COVID-19. Gathering maximums for all private parties are still 10 people indoors and 25 outdoors and come with scary fines if you exceed these limits!
– Do not trick-or-treat or hand out treats if you are unwell – If you feel unwell, do not go out to collect treats or hand out treats: keep your community safe.
We know Halloween will not be celebrated traditionally this year. Please remember if you are going out for Halloween (as a trick-or-treater or chaperone) to follow these 7 steps 🎃
Take a look at our Halloween page on our website to learn more: https://t.co/7JxLleOxnG pic.twitter.com/pG9XxyW1iZ
— CK Public Health (@CKPublicHealth) October 28, 2020
Halloween can be difficult for people with food allergies. https://t.co/UGmqBUmxK4
Whether you are staying home to hand out treats or trick or treating with your family, consider learning more about celebrating Halloween here:https://t.co/7JxLleOxnG
— CK Public Health (@CKPublicHealth) October 28, 2020
Chatham-Kent Police Service officials say Halloween may look different this year, but by following guidance from CK Public Health, Chatham-Kent Fire Service, and Chatham-Kent Police Service we will ensure together that it is not a spooky experience.
Here are some tips from the police:
Decorating your home or work for Halloween is always fun, but ensure you take extra precautions in keeping your décor safe! Battery-powered candles, lights or glow sticks are safe to light up carved pumpkins and other decorations. Avoid using real candles as they can start a fire that can ruin your Halloween celebrations, decorations and your home/office. If you must use real flames, ensure your family knows how to “stop, drop and roll”, and keep matches, lighters or utility lighters out of sight and reach of children. Ensure that your smoke alarms have been tested.
When you are preparing your costume, choose one that is light/bright coloured and short (no frills, loose/long pants or skirts) to avoid tripping or falls. Consider not wearing a costume mask, as they are not designed to stop the spread of COVID-19, and may prevent you from being able to see or breathe! Instead, wear a face covering (such as a cloth or medical mask) and build it into your costume!
Go trick or treating with household members (never alone) on familiar streets and roads in your community. Parents and guardians should also wear face coverings. Make sure that all children and adults are carrying flashlights, and that an adult has a cellphone on hand to call 9-1-1 in case of an emergency. While trick or treating, make sure you are 2 metres apart from others, cross the road at marked intersections and obey traffic signals. Drivers should use caution on Halloween, as children are excited: slow down! Have an adult inspect your treats before consuming.
If you are handing out treats, ensure you wear a face covering. Staying outside will ensure that trick-or-treaters do not touch doorbells, doors or other high touch surfaces. Handing out treats from the bottom of your stairs or at your curbside will help make trick or treating accessible to everyone. Ensure you have hand sanitizer and disinfect surfaces often with soap and water.
This Halloween is a time to have spooky fun with your household: not at parties. Remember, gathering maximums for all private parties are still 10 people indoors and 25 outdoors and come with scary fines if you exceed these limits!
#LittleHeroes Halloween Costume Contest
In the spirit of Halloween, the Chatham-Kent Police Service costume contest is back. Send them photos of your kids dressed up in their best police costume for a chance to win a spooktacular prize.
Upload their photo on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #LittleHeroes. You can also like us on Facebook and send their photo as a message. Please include their first name and hometown.
For more information, please see https://ckpolice.com/
