By Samantha Pudelski, American Red Cross volunteer

October 28, 2020- Halloween will look a little different this year, but there are still plenty of ways to celebrate. In order to keep our communities safe, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is discouraging traditional house-to-house trick or treating due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the CDC suggests these low risk activities:

• Carve or decorate pumpkins with members of your household (You can roast the pumpkin seeds too!)
• Host a virtual Halloween costume contest with friends and family
• Organize an outdoor neighborhood scavenger hunt where children search for Halloween-themed items (while maintaining safe distances)
• Have a Halloween movie night with the people you live with

Halloween is on a Saturday this year, providing a great opportunity to celebrate during the day. If doing any outdoor activities at night, make sure your area is lit well and clear of any leaves or other debris to keep the area safe.

When dressing up, make sure to wear your cloth mask to protect yourself and others from the spread of the virus. Costume masks do not take the place of a cloth mask.

Decorations are a great way to get into the Halloween spirit. When decorating your home, follow safety tips from the American Red Cross for using candles. Don’t leave candles unattended or in a place where children or pets can knock them over. Keep candles away from decorations, drapes or other household items.

You could also consider helping out others this holiday by donating blood. You can find a Northern Ohio Red Cross blood drive near you here.

Remember, individuals with COVID-19 or who might have been exposed to COVID-19 should not participate in any holiday activities. You can read more about the CDC safety guidelines here.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, American Red Cross volunteer