SCOOP: Keep Halloween in Windsor fun with pandemic safety tips
Residents are incorporating pandemic safety into their Halloween decor (Photo by Laryssa Brooks)
This year, Windsor residents are following some tricks to give out their treats.
“For Halloween, I think the pandemic has made parents consider other options, like parties at home for those who aren’t comfortable bringing their kids out,” said Rachel Beres, a local mom. “I’m sure everyone will do what they can to make it fun for their kids, no matter what they have chosen to do.”
The WECHU has made several recommendations for staying safe this year. “Focus on the importance of public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Theresa Marentette, chief executive and nursing officer.
And, Marentette added, “Individuals who are at a high risk for COVID-19, such as seniors, those over 70 years old, and individuals who are immune compromised or have a chronic health condition, should engage in only low risk activities this Halloween.”
The WECHU has suggested hosting virtual costume parties with family and friends and planning trick-or-treat scavenger hunts at home. “You can still create special childhood memories and have fun,” the unit said in a statement.
Marentette said it’s also important to allow family and friends to make their own choices. “Not everyone will feel comfortable with participating in Halloween activities this year, and that’s OK. Let’s give people permission to not participate.”
Free printable posters are available from the WECHU for those keeping their door closed this year and for residents still handing out candy but asking trick-or-treaters to wear masks.
For those intending to go door-to-door, the unit said residents should limit contact, keep two metres away from others, wear masks and wash their hands or use sanitizer frequently.
The WECHU recommends limiting contact, bagging candy and offering sanitizer to trick-or-treaters (Photo by Laryssa Brooks)
“Wear a proper face covering; costume masks are not suitable,” warned Marentette.
Other recommendations have included avoiding touching surfaces, avoiding large groups, limiting the number of households visited and offering hand sanitizer to trick-or-treaters. The WECHU has also suggested handing out candy with tongs or spacing out treats on a long table.
“Provide treats that are prepackaged and individually wrapped, place physical distancing markers on your driveway and consider sitting outside to avoid lineups and congestion at your door,” said Marentette.
For many, this has meant getting creative. “Our in-laws rigged up a homemade chute—a cardboard tube attached to their stair rail—to drop candy bars into kids' treat bags!” said Joanna Kimmerly-Smith, a parent who initially planned to hand out candy at home this year.
Others have pared down their usual celebrations. “Normally, we would go trick-or-treating with a large group and have a Halloween party afterwards,” said Beres. “We will be trick-or-treating with a much smaller group in a smaller neighbourhood that we know this year.”
Ava Beres (pictured) did a spooky photoshoot with her mom, Rachel Beres, to get in the Halloween spirit (Photo courtesy Rachel Beres)
Kimmerly-Smith said her family is going to focus on activities at home. “We’re going to bring our son to our in-laws' home, as they're in our social bubble. We plan to do pumpkin carving, spooky movie watching, and cookie baking.”
Despite the limitations, many are excited to celebrate the holiday and get some candy. Several residents have even incorporated the pandemic into their decor, with scarecrows, skeletons and jack-o-lanterns wearing face masks.
“I think people are grateful for the chance to dress up and have fun in a safe way,” said Kimmerly-Smith. After all, she added, “this is the most amazing Halloween weekend we've had in years: a Saturday with a good weather forecast and clocks going back the next day!”
Visit the WECHU website for more information about staying safe for Halloween this year.
