American Academy of Pediatrics: Enjoy Halloween With Safety Precautions

Children are eager to get back to their normal routines, and Halloween fun is a big part of that. But many children are not yet vaccinated, and many are still too young to get the COVID-19 vaccine, so it makes sense to be careful again this Halloween.

“Some families organized a family movie night, held virtual costume parties, or built special candy-delivering chutes to maintain physical distancing last year,” said Gary Kirkilas, DO, FAAP, a pediatrician in Phoenix, Arizona. “Parents don’t necessarily need to do anything elaborate this year to make Halloween safe, but I would consider building on the successes of last year and staying mindful of keeping activities small and outdoors when possible.”

Here are some ways to have a good time while also lowering the risk of spreading and contracting COVID-19, along with a few other general Halloween safety tips.

• Parents should limit trick-or-treating to small groups and be sure their kids stay outside. The virus is much less likely to spread outdoors than in poorly ventilated indoor spaces. Children should avoid large groups of kids clustering near front doors or in driveways.
• Those who give out treats should consider sitting outside and lining up individually prepackaged goodies on a table for children to take. Non-edible treats are a good option for trick-or-treaters with allergies. Think fun stickers, glow sticks, temporary tattoos, and colored pencils.
• Children over age 2 who do attend a small party or go to a community event should wear face masks and observe safe physical distancing. Universal masking continues to be important, since children under 12 years old are not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. Masks should cover the mouth and nose and fit snugly against the sides of the face without gaps. And in areas where there are high numbers of COVID cases, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone wear face masks indoors in public places, regardless of vaccination status. Remember that a costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth one to protect against COVID-19 transmission.
• Children should wash their hands when they return from trick-or-treating and parents should inspect their candy to ensure that there are no rips or tears in the packaging and that nothing has been tampered with. Avoid homemade treats.
• If kids will be out after dark, their costumes should have reflective tape. Costumes should fit well so children aren’t encumbered by them and won’t trip on any part of them, and children also should be able to see clearly around any masks, hats, or wigs.

“The best way to protect children from COVID-19 is to start at home and make sure everyone in the family who is eligible to be vaccinated gets the vaccine,” Dr. Kirkilas said. “This adds a layer of protection, along with masking, for those too young to be vaccinated and helps provide peace of mind that everyone in the family can enjoy a safe and healthy Halloween.”

Other resources from HealthyChildren.org:

Halloween Health & Safety Tips

Halloween & COVID-19 Have Fun While Staying Safe

Avoid a Food Allergy Scare on Halloween

To request an interview with an expert, contact AAP Public Affairs.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.