State releases guidelines for Halloween events including trick-or-treat, haunted houses

MIAMI VALLEY — The Ohio Department of Health has released its guidelines for Halloween events, including the recommendation to cancel haunted houses and hayride and exercising caution while participating in trick-or-treat events.

Guidance released Friday afternoon includes urging people to consider safer, socially distant ways to celebrate including: drive-thru trick-or-treat events, drive-by car decorating or costume contests, hiding treats as an alternative to trick-or-treat and holding virtual costume parties.

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The state previously had encouraged people to leave treats in the mailboxes of friends and neighbors, however a spokesman said that was included in error and the guidance was being updated. Only items bearing postage are allowed in mail receptacles, a USPS spokeswoman said.

The state also is asking people not hold in-person Halloween parties, unless attendance is able to be limited to 10 or fewer people and outdoors where social distancing is possible. Activities like bobbing for apples should be avoided, the state said.

According to the guidance, people should wear a face covering and stay six feet away from people not in their household.

If you are trick-or-treating, ODH recommends carrying hand sanitizer and use it often, especially after touching frequently touched surfaces and before eating candy.

The following recommendations were issued for parents or guardians of children (Source: Ohio Department of Health):

• If taking your children trick-or-treating, limit the number of houses you visit and ask your children to stay as far from treat-givers as possible. For small children, consider holding the bag for them.

• Wipe off candy wrappers with sanitizing wipes when you arrive home. (NOTE: Never wipe unpackaged food with wipes.)

• Allow children to eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid homemade treats made by strangers.

The following recommendations were issued for community members participating in trick-or-treat (Source: Ohio Department of Health):

• For trick-or-treating, reach out to neighbors to discuss ways to ensure 6-foot social distancing, how candy can most safely be distributed, and the need for face coverings.

• Refrain from having children select their own treats from a bowl/common container or set up a hand-sanitizing station. Consider placing treats on porch steps or a table in the driveway with a sign asking children to take only one. Or use other creative ways to distribute treats, such as using a candy “slide” made of PVC pipe, or hanging treats from a wall or fence.

Cox Media Group