Am I allowed to go trick-or-treating? 

Trick-or-treating is allowed, only if done safely. Only trick-or-treat with those in your household, and do not go out if you feel sick or someone in your household feels sick.

If I choose to hand out candy, how can I do so safely? 

If you choose to hand out candy, please ensure you are feeling well. Wear a mask and ensure high touch surfaces are disinfected often. Consider hanging out candy outside (weather permitting) and not from your door, so children do not have to touch doors, doorbells or railings as often. 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.

Consider using this poster to let your neighbours know if you are NOT handing out treats this year If you live in a public health unit region in Stage 3 (for example, Chatham-Kent, consider using this poster to help let your neighbours know that you WILL be are handing out treats.

I want to have a Halloween party/I have planned to attend a Halloween party. 

The Province of Ontario and CK Public Health discourage gatherings, such as Halloween parties with multiple households. Keep the spooky fun to your household only! 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! By attending a Halloween party with those outside your household, you could potentially put your family, community, work and school at risk for contracting COVID-19!

Should I spray child/children’s candy down with Lysol after I (an adult) have inspected it?

Touching food packaging of any kind (candy or otherwise) has not been identified as a transmission route for COVID-19, and there is no need to spray candy down before your children enjoy it. Spraying food with disinfectants could actually make you sick if you consume! Just make sure you (the adult) washes your hands before and after inspecting candy, and have your children do the same before enjoying.

_______ town/village has good candy! Can we drive to that area to trick-or-treat?

No! CK residents should stay within their community (your neighbourhood) to trick or treat and people are being asked not to travel to other regions.

Do you have any Halloween celebration ideas for kids who are asked to self-isolate or who aren’t feeling well?

Yes! Consider the following to celebrate Halloween safely at home:

• Decorating your home or front yard
• Hosting a virtual Halloween party to show off your costumes!
• Carving or decorating pumpkins with your household
• Celebrate with your favourite Halloween movie and host a movie night with your household
• Organize a Halloween scavenger hunt in your backyard or home with those in your household.
• Try “reverse trick or treating” where neighbours drop off treats to your front porch!

My child has been isolated and wants to go out for Halloween. Can they trick-or-treat as long as they keep away from others?

NO! Your child has been isolated, as they have been identified as a contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19. They must stay home if they are isolated! As much as we understand how much your child wants to go out, there are alternative ways to have fun for Halloween at home. This is for their safety and others.

Halloween and treats go hand in hand.  Many parents would agree that there is often an overload of candy afterwards.  If your family decides to go trick-or-treating consider:

• limiting the number of households you visit;
• offering healthier packaged foods such as fruit leathers, juice boxes, granola bars, and sugar free gum
• offering non-food items such as stickers or pencils.
• eating a healthy meal beforehand to prevent the temptation to eat while out.

Food Allergy Canada encourages Canadians to take part in the #ShineATealLight campaign where participating households display a teal light in the window to indicate that they have allergy-friendly treats available. Visit Food Allergy Canada' website or watch the video below to learn more about this important campaign!

Choose a safe costume

Ensure that your children are dressed appropriately for Halloween! Having a creative disguise doesn't mean that safety should be compromised!

• Look for costumes and accessories such as beards, wigs, wings and tails that are labelled flame-resistant. Flowing skirts and capes, baggy sleeves and over-sized costumes can all be hazards around candles or flames.
• Nylon or heavyweight polyester costumes are best. Remember, flame-resistant does not mean fire-proof.
• Pick brightly coloured costumes that can be clearly seen by motorists. Add reflective tape to the costume to increase visibility.
• Use make-up or face paint instead of masks - improperly fitted masks can interfere with your child's vision or breathing, and are not protective against COVID-19.
• Before using face paint or make-up, do a patch test to see if your child is sensitive or allergic to something in the cosmetic. Even products labelled as “hypoallergenic” can still cause allergic reactions.
• Do not use contact lenses that change eye colour or create special effects because they can cause injury to a child's eyes.
• Avoid costumes that are too big or have long dangling pieces that children can trip over.
• Ensure that toy weapons and similar accessories are made of soft or flexible material. Hard or rigid costume accessories can cause accidents and injury.
• Choose costumes that fit well to help prevent trips and falls and that can be worn over warm clothing to protect your child against cold and wet weather.

Source: Government of Canada

Halloween may look different this year, but by following guidance from Chatham-Kent Public Health, Chatham-Kent Fire Service, and Chatham-Kent Police Service we will ensure together that it is not a spooky experience!

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!