Stay safe Trick-or-Treating this Halloween!

On October 31, the streets may be crawling with princesses, pirates, superheroes, unicorns, witches, and more in search of … CANDY! Halloween is a time for costumes, candy and fun, but Campbell County Health wants to remind you that safety and health should be a priority.

Before you or your children head out trick-or-treating, consider these tips:

1. Bring supplies to help you and others stay healthy. For example, bring extra masks, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, and tissues. Be sure to use hand sanitizer after touching objects or other people.
2. Drive safe. Drivers, please reduce your speed in neighborhoods and keep an extra close eye out for children in the streets. Keep in mind that many kids are excited about candy and they may dart out into the street; or they may be wearing a mask or something that limits their eye sight, and may not see that they are in harm’s way.
3. Be well-lit. Consider putting a reflective vest, or applying reflective tape to your child’s costume to ensure they are seen by drivers on the road. Also, carry a flashlight with you to keep your child’s path lit at all times.
4. Plan your route. Avoid long paths by mapping out a route before leaving the house. Stick to paths that you and your child are familiar with to avoid getting lost. We're fortunate in Gillette, Wyoming that many businesses and groups provide organized Trick-Or-Treating, and most options can be found on Facebook.
5. Be safe with friends. Trick-Or-Treaters, remember to walk on the sidewalks, not in the street. Make sure everyone stops before crossing the street, be sure to look both ways for traffic, and don’t cut across yards or use alleys or cross between parked cars (cross at the street corner). Only visit homes that have a porch light on and only accept treats at the door—never go inside. And consider staying six feet or more away from others while you're out; you are more likely to get or spread COVID-19 when you are in close contact with others for a long time.
6. Wash hands. Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home and before you handle or eat any treats.
7. Check your child’s candy. Tell your children not to eat any candy until it has been inspected at home. And, tell your children not to accept anything that isn’t commercially wrapped. When your child does arrive home with their loot, inspect the candy for signs of tampering—unusual appearance, tiny holes, tears in wrappers—and throw away anything that is not in its original wrapper, looks like it may have been opened, or may cause a choking hazard for your child.

The CDC has a flyer to help make trick-or-treating safer here >>>

More Halloween safety tips can be found:

1. CDC: Trick or Treating and Other Halloween Activities
2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Halloween Safety: Costumes, Candy and Colored Contact Lenses
3. Safe Kids Worldwide Halloween Safety Tips

Campbell County Health staff wishes you and your children a safe and very happy Halloween!