HOA Halloween Safety Amid COVID-19

Halloween will look substantially different this year as the country continues to navigate the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Communities are searching for ways to keep children safe by practicing social distancing on October 31st. Many homeowner associations are turning to alternatives such as trunk-or-treating instead of traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating. 

Trunk-or-treating is becoming a widely popular alternative to walking from house to house. More popular in the Southern US, neighbors use a church or community parking lot and decorate car trunks to welcome trick-or-treaters.

Take this idea a step further and create "a drive-thru boo." This event is a contactless trick-or-treating experience. Include a Halloween car decorating contest for some extra fun. All you have to do is drive through our winding road, roll down your window at each stop, stick out your bag, and treats magically appear. People are asked to wear masks and remain in their car to make the event as safe as possible.

Below are FAQs concerning trick-or-treating this Halloween. Dr. David Priest, the chief safety, quality, and epidemiology officer at Novant Health, is a top expert on COVID-19. He leads the COVID-19 treatment and prevention efforts throughout the Novant Health system. He gets endless, complex questions around the clock on the ongoing pandemic. Still, Novant Health managed to get on his calendar to ask the one question a nation of children and parents are asking:

Is it safe to trick or treat this year?

I think some variation on Halloween celebrations, or trick or treating, can be created. People must adhere to the rules: Avoid large groups of people and indoor settings for parties. Make sure you're wearing a mask. Overall, it's safer to be outside.

Is it safe to give out candy to a cluster of kids at the door?

Getting creative about how you give out candy is the best way to approach it. Consider individual plastic bags with a set amount of sweets. Set out candy on a table where people walk by and pick them up as they go. Or find a way to give it out without having people congregating and yelling "trick or treat" on your doorstep. 

Should children trick or treat with their friends?

A small group of friends is fine, although they all should wear masks. Keep the group smaller—three or four friends outside wearing masks. And while walking down the street, they should try to stay socially distant. I think that's a reasonably safe approach. Just avoid big groups and unmasked folks.

What about Halloween costumes masks?

Kids should wear masks that inhibit the spread of COVID. Some Halloween costumes would be more authentic with a cover, right? Stick to the kind of mask that helps prevent the spread of COVID rather than a Darth Vader mask, for example. 

Would dressing as a doctor or nurse be wise this Halloween? 

Children may decorate those cloth masks or "doctor up" a surgical mask with Sharpies, glue, and glitter? It's a way to be creative and still wear the appropriate mask. Remember: Bandanas and the gaiters you pull up your neck to cover the lower half of your face are not as useful as the surgical-style or other cotton masks. Sharpies are safe as well, but let the ink dry first before putting on the cover. 

Do we disinfect the doorbell after every ring?

As long as everyone is washing their hands, there's little need to be wiping down door handles and doorbells. People can clean things, but hand hygiene is more important than wiping down surfaces.

Should kids wear gloves as part of their costume? 

Hand hygiene is better than glove wearing as a preventive strategy. However, if your child is Batman, then gloves are a must. Don't avoid gloves due to costume, but don't go overboard trying to make them part of the ensemble.

Do parents need to wipe down individual pieces of candy?

Just wash your hands.

How do we talk to kids about wearing a mask with their costumes?

Remind kids about how masks keep them safe. Promote the idea that it's a cool part of the costume. If a child wants to dress as a ninja, the mask fits perfectly as part of the outfit. Let this be the year you find a costume that incorporates the right kind of cover. With little, little kids, it's tough. Try as best you can to keep the mask on them. If they don't, then stay outside and stay socially distanced as best you can.

What about corn mazes, pumpkin patches, or other everyday fall activities that take place outdoors?

I'm personally OK with that. You need to avoid congregating at the corn maze entrance or the ticket booth. Ensure those places have some parameters to keep the lines spread out and help people maintain a safe distance.

Be concerned about haunted houses if they're enclosed. Avoid them unless you can find one that offers a drive-thru option or that strictly limits the number of people who can come in at one time.

For more information on how to safely celebrate Halloween this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put together a list of low-risk activities.