Halloween Wishes and the Second Wave

With the added risk of COVID-19 affecting this year’s Halloween celebrations, we wanted to pass along some safety tips to our members. We are asking everyone to take extra precautions to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transferring while ensuring everybody has a fun time celebrating Halloween.

In keeping with our ideas of more PSA and communications, we want to share the attached video for viewing and sharing.

Please also watch our public safety announcement video: https://youtu.be/hvUY7BD0QV8

Covid-19 Precautions: 

• Trick-or-treat in small groups and leave space between your group and others. 
• Make space when handing out treats. 
• Skip the Halloween mask and opt for a personal protective mask. Do NOT wear both because it will be difficult to breathe.
• If you are planning to hand out candy, instead of a shared bowl for kids to grab candy, hand out individual treats using tongs.

Trick-or-Treaters:

• Ensure trick-or-treaters are visible at night! Pick a light-coloured costume if possible. Add reflective material to costumes (available at fabric or craft stores). Glow sticks are an inexpensive way to increase visibility and can be found at most dollar stores. Always bring a flashlight trick-or-treating (most smartphones are equipped with a flashlight function or app).
• Ensure costumes fit properly. Avoid oversized shoes, capes that are too long, or bulky additions to costumes.  
• Consider putting your child’s name and a contact phone number on the costume in case you get separated.
• When planning your trick-or-treat route stick to areas you are familiar with. Ensure your route is well lit and preferably has sidewalks and crosswalks.
• When out trick-or-treating, stick to one side of the street, and then cross once at a crosswalk if possible.
• Some candy presents a choking hazard to small children, so parents should be vigilant.
• Do not eat any of your treats until inspected by an adult.  

Homeowners: 

• Keep your home well lit, including driveways, pathways and porches. Ensure that all pathways are clear of debris, including fall hazards like wet leaves. 
• If you are NOT planning to hand out candy, turn off your porch light so children don’t approach.

Drivers:

• Be extra vigilant and slow down. Trick-or-treaters may be too excited to obey the rules of the road, so be prepared for unpredictable behaviour.

Halloween Parties:

• Limit social gatherings in size and keep guests to those within your bubble to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.
• The safest ride home is the one we plan for. Ensure you have a safe ride home with a sober driver. 
• If you choose to use recreational or illicit drugs, ensure you never use alone – have a sober friend with you who can call 911 in case of emergency.  

Firework Safety:  

NOTE THAT FIREWORKS ARE BANNED IN MANY CITIES/MUNICIPALITIES OF BC. PLEASE ABIDE BY YOUR LOCAL LAWS.

• ALWAYS read the instructions first!!! This is extremely important!
• Only sober adults (18 years or over) should handle fireworks. 
• Only light one firework at a time and never handle fireworks that have been lit.
• Ensure you wear protective glasses and gloves.  
• Limit use of baggy clothes and keep hair away from fire sources. Ensure you are not wearing any flammable material (including your costume).

This Halloween try to be outside as much as possible and follow provincial guidelines when it comes to COVID-19. 

On behalf of the executive board,

Please click HERE to view a PDF version of this message.

TC/sd/MoveUp