According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), Halloween spending will reach an all-time high of $10.14 billion this year, up from $8.05 billion in 2020. The NRF adds that about 65 percent of consumers intend to celebrate the spookiest day of the year by handing out candy, decorating their home, dressing in costume, and carving a pumpkin.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released new guidance for minimizing risk while participating in not only Halloween activities like trick-or-treating but, with the quickly approaching holiday season, traditional celebrations. Those tips include avoiding direct contact with others, wearing a well-fitting face mask, and frequent hand washing. It would also help to schedule regular preventive care appointments with your physician at Woodlands Diagnostic Clinic.
In addition, the CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky shared on CBC News “Face the Nation” in September that while she would avoid crowded Halloween parties, she thinks that it is perfectly acceptable to allow kids to go trick-or-treating in small groups. However, it would help if you took appropriate measures to prevent the virus from spreading and ensure your children stay safe while haunting neighborhood streets and houses.
Here are some essential tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for staying safe on October 31.
Trick-or-Treating
The experts recommend staying outdoors, avoiding crowds, and keeping a safe distance. Participating in outdoor events addresses the concern of being inside a poorly ventilated space. Trick-or-treaters should also wear reflective clothing or carry a glow stick to help motorists see them. Other essential tips in this area include handing out individually wrapped treat bags, washing your hands after handling candy, and discarding any non-factory-wrapped treats.
Halloween Costumes
Halloween is all about dressing from head to toe in of-the-moment costumes to participate in your favorite activities. However, specific safety precautions should be taken to prevent injury, such as wearing “flame retardant costumes.” The FDA also encourages testing FDA-approved makeup before October 31 to ensure you don’t have an allergic reaction to it and never wear decorative contact lenses. When planning your costume, focus on reflection and sizing to avoid issues.
Pumpkin Carving
Decorating pumpkins is a favorite pastime for many families, and there is no shortage of creative, spooky ideas to be found online or in pumpkin carving templates. However, when carving pumpkins, whether small or big, it is essential to consider some best practices for safety. That includes letting younger children draw the design, then you do the cutting, as they observe your work. Once cut, place a battery-operated tea light into the pumpkin to illuminate your Jack-o’-Lantern on Halloween night.
Woodlands Diagnostic Clinic is an internal medicine practice providing compassionate, high-quality, patient-centered preventive care at our conveniently located medical clinic in Shenandoah, TX. The physicians at Woodlands Diagnostic Clinic are committed to optimizing the health and well-being of patients through preventive care and diagnostic care. To schedule a sick or wellness appointment, please contact us at (281) 863-9554. For your convenience, we are also open on the weekend.
Have a happy, healthy, and safe Halloween this year!
Resources:
“Halloween Safety Tips: Costumes, Candy, and Colored Contact Lenses.” U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), October 23, 2020.
“Holiday Celebrations: Safer Ways to Celebrate Holidays.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), October 15, 2021.
Inman, Danielle. “Halloween Spending Soars as Celebrations Near Pre-Pandemic Levels.” National Retail Federation (NRF), September 22, 2021.
‘“Transcript: CDC Director Rochelle Walensky on “Face the Nation,” September 25, 2021.”’ CBC News, September 25, 2021.
