BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — From a neighborhood scavenger hunt to a virtual costume contest, the Erie County Department of Health is offering some ideas to have fun safely on Halloween.
Although the CDC has cautioned that trick-or-treating is considered a high risk activity, New York State has not yet issued any rules about it. Some towns have said they are leaving the decisions up to parents.
"If you usually plan a neighborhood Halloween party, find ways to keep the activities outdoors and limit the number of people who attend to just a few," said Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein.
Here is Erie County's list of alternatives to trick-or-treating:
- Carve or decorate pumpkins with members of your household and put them on display
- Carve or decorate pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
- Coordinate a scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house at a distance
- Decorate your home or vehicle
- Hold a virtual Halloween costume contest
- Host a Halloween movie night with your household members
- Have a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going door-to-door
- Visit a local pumpkin patch
Thinking of heading to a Halloween party? Dr. Gale Burstein says, think again.
"If you are invited to a Halloween party with a lot of people, this is the year to decline and find an alternative."
