NEW YORK – The Halloween celebration is just around the corner and the New York State Division of Consumer Protection on Monday shared some tips for kids and families to have fun safely in the midst of the ongoing pandemic.
“We encourage families and all New Yorkers to do everything possible to make this Halloween be safe and fun. Please be considerate of each other and follow practices that help stop the spread of COVID-19, especially for our younger New Yorkers who do not yet meet the criteria for vaccination, ”said State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker.
Children and adults can celebrate this traditional festival and enjoy the activities by following these tips:
TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR HEALTH DURING THE DAY OF THE WITCHES
• Wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer before, during, and after any Halloween activity.
• If you are organizing an event Halloween, keep the gathering small and outdoors.
• When delivering candy on this day, instead of the children reaching for a large bowl of candy, consider making individual gift bags and placing them on a table in the driveway or in front of your house.
• Ask for sweets in small groups and avoid crowds. Do not take candy out of a bowl or receive candy directly from someone’s hands. If there are many people in front of a house, skip that house and look for a safer option.
• Try to incorporate a cloth mask into your costume. For children under the age of 12 who do not yet meet the criteria for vaccination, masks remain the best line of defense against COVID-19.
HOW TO BE CAREFUL IN THE STREETS DURING THE DAY OF THE WITCHES
• Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult during trick-or-treating. Older and responsible children should review their route with an adult and agree on a time to return home.
• Use reflective tape as a decoration for costumes, outerwear, and even goody bags so motorists can see them at dusk and in the dark. Reflective tape is found in hardware stores, bicycles, and sporting goods stores.
• Cross the street at corners, use crosswalks, and follow traffic signals.
• Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of a driver.
• Walk on sidewalks or roads.
• Leave electronic devices, keep your head up, and walk, without running, while crossing the streets.
HOW DRIVERS CAN BE CAREFUL DURING HALLOWEEN
• Reduce speed and be especially careful when driving in Halloween, especially in neighborhoods and areas where minors may be trick-or-treating.
• Be careful when passing stopped vehicles. They may stop to let people pass the road or are dropping off passengers. Visibility of shoppers and other pedestrians may be obstructed.
• Always be aware of pedestrians, especially before turning on a green light or making a “right turn on red.”
WHICH COSTUMES ARE MOST SUITABLE
• Look for fabrics labeled “fire resistant” like nylon or polyester when purchasing costumes, beards, wigs, and masks. Flame resistant fabrics are not flame proof, but will resist burning and can be extinguished quickly.
• Buy or make costumes that are light, bright, and clearly visible to motorists. Dark colored costumes are difficult to see at night.
• If you wear a mask as part of your costume, make sure it fits well, provides adequate ventilation, has eye holes large enough to allow full vision, and does not limit hearing.
HOW TO BE CAREFUL WITH THIS DAY’S GOODIES
• Examine toys or small items for young children under three years of age that may pose a choking hazard or that may separate during use and present a choking hazard.
• Although handling is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and dispose of any spoiled, unwrapped, or suspicious items.
WHAT DECORATIONS ARE SUITABLE
• Using battery-operated LED lights or glow sticks instead of an open flame candle for flashlights is best. Keep decorative candles away from curtains, decorations, or other flammable objects that can catch fire. Do not leave an open flame candle unattended.
• Keep candles or lanterns from Jack-o-Lanterns away from landings or door steps where costumes could brush against flames and place them on a sturdy table.
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