Tips to a Healthy Halloween

NORMAL, Ill. – While there is an abundance of spooky festivities happening this Halloween season, none are quite as scary as contracting COVID. 

“You can get out there,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci. “This is a time that children love. It’s a very important part of the year for children.”

Although it may seem intimidating and challenging to celebrate Halloween with the fear of COVID looming, it can be done by following the right recommendations from health professionals.

The Illinois Department of Health issued guidance on how to celebrate the holiday while maintaining the health of yourself and others.

The IDPH advises that trick-or-treating in small groups while outdoors is the best option to remain safe. However, if trick-or-treating indoors is the only option, wearing masks and opening doors and windows to increase ventilation is a good way to disperse any contaminated air. It is also recommended that trick-or-treaters as well as those handing out candy wash their hands before and after touching candy.

“Trick or treating is a safe outdoor activity,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “If you’re going door to door, some people are laying candy out and such, and I’ve seen some really creative jimmies where candy can even slide down chutes.”

If you’re a household looking to avoid all contact with trick-or-treaters, then creating grab and go goody bags is a safe and creative route to take in order to stay safe and healthy while having fun this Halloween.  

For haunted houses, open-air environments are preferred and masks are required indoors. The number of those allowed in a haunted house should be limited in order to avoid close contact with individuals who can transmit viruses.

The IDPH also recommends going to pumpkin patches and orchards at times that aren’t extremely busy to limit contact with others as much as possible. 

For other fall activities such as Halloween parties and Día de Los Muertos celebrations, the IDPH recommends attending or hosting these celebrations outside in order to maintain an environment with high air circulation to limit transmission of COVID. 

Having these tips in your bag of tricks and treats provides ghouls and gals an easy way to enjoy all of the normal festivities, all while remaining safe and healthy this Halloween season.