Trick-or-treating has officially been given the green light by health experts, and the basic safety protocols still apply: travel in small groups, be safe near the roads, and always check the candy before eating it. But with the challenges of the ongoing pandemic, consider these suggestions for this year’s Halloween.

1. Stay Outdoors If You Can

While health officials have expressed optimism about trick or treating, crowded holiday parties and gatherings might still be areas to avoid, especially if anyone in the house has been dealing with seasonal allergies or coughs. 

Children’s costumes should maintain comfort and airflow, especially if they’re wearing helmets or masks as part of their costume. For anyone planning on staying home to hand out candy, stay outside the front door or in the yard. This will solve two problems: it will maintain a safe distance between your home and the numerous trick or treaters, and will allow everyone the chance to interact with each other without jamming up the doorway. 

Also, if the idea of a communal bowl of candy seems problematic, treat givers can also opt to prepare individual goodie bags. Anyone looking to make goodie bags should also take care to wash their hands before and after prepping the goods. Open-air activities continue to be encouraged, so check for any local trunk or treat activities.

2. Masks: They’re Not Just for Costumes

As stated above, any costume with a helmet or mask should provide comfortable airflow for the wearer. However, it should be noted that helmets and masks should not serve as a substitute for medical masks.

Remember that a face mask primarily serves the purpose of stopping an individual from spreading any toxins they breathe out. Remember also that most costume face masks, especially for children’s costumes, don’t usually cover a child’s mouth. Also, costume masks do not qualify as medical face masks or adequate substitutes. 

Even when outdoors, the CDC has recommended that unvaccinated children should wear masks, especially if they plan on entering into places with large crowds. The best idea? Exercise personal judgement, but keep a mask handy in case any crowds show up. It never hurts to be prepared.

3. Keep the Group Small

In all likelihood, this suggestion will be hit and miss depending on the individual trick or treaters. Most groups roaming the streets for candy or lining up for a trunk or treat event probably won’t number more than six people, but in the interest of safety, it might be good to set a party limit at about that number.

Again, this will depend on the number of people looking to trick or treat or attend an event together, but in the interest of public health and safety, it would be wise to keep the groups small. This will allow the group a better chance at practicing social distancing.

4. When In Doubt, Stay Home

Everyone looking to wander on Halloween should practice good hygiene before, during, and after the big night out. But if anyone should feel even a little bit sick, be on the safe side and just stay home.

This suggestion might be the hardest to follow, especially for anyone who felt cheated out of last year’s Halloween. But don’t take unnecessary chances in the name of free candy; where a person’s health is concerned, precaution and safety should win the day.