Elmhurst offers Halloween health and safety tips
The City of Elmhurst has received several inquiries regarding trick-or-treating during the COVID-19 pandemic. The city's top priority is the safety of residents. There is a heightened sense of precaution that the community should take during this holiday. They understand that not everyone may feel comfortable trick-or-treating this year. Ultimately, each resident must make the decision on whether or not to partake in Halloween activities.
Trick-or-treating hours on Saturday, Oct. 31, are 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., but residents are asked to protect themselves and respect their neighbors by understanding and abiding by the following guidelines:
The city has designed green and red signs for residents to place in their windows or visible areas for trick-or-treaters to identify whether they are participating. Green = Yes, trick-or treaters are welcome. Red = No trick-or-treaters please. These signs will be mailed to each resident in mid-October.
Residents interested in participating in trick-or-treating are asked to turn their outdoor lights on and place the green "Trick-or-Treaters Welcome" sign so that it is visible to trick-or-treaters. Residents who would not like to participate are asked to keep their outdoor lights off and place the red "No trick-or-treaters, please" sign so that it is visible to trick-or-treaters. Please treat all neighbors with respect and courtesy by not approaching homes that have indicated that they are not participating.
For the safety of all participants, those going door-to-door are required to wear face coverings at all times. The Centers for Disease Control has stated that a Halloween costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask or face covering that covers your mouth and nose. Please maintain a safe distance from other trick-or-treaters and wait to approach a home until the previous groups has left.
Individuals who are passing out candy are asked to wear face coverings and gloves, and pass candy out individually instead of inviting participants to take a treat from a communal bowl. Please wash your hands frequently and disinfect high touched surfaces such as doorbells, doorknobs and buzzers.
Please act kindly and courteously to keep your neighbors safe and respect their choices as we maneuver through the challenges of this pandemic.
Halloween Health & Safety Tips from the Centers for Disease Control is available at www.cdc.gov.
The Illinois Department of Public Health Halloween guidelines are at dph.illinois.gov.
It is recommended that young children end trick-or-treating when it begins to get dark.
• Put reflective tape on costumes and avoid costumes that are overly scary or that require "weapons" of any kind.
• If older children are going trick-or-treating without you, create a map of a safe trick-or-treating route in familiar areas. Agree on a specific time they should be home as well as pre-set check in times.
• Remind children not to go inside anyone's home or accept a ride from anyone, including people you know, without checking first with a trusted adult.
• Remind children to look both ways before crossing the street and to cross at corners only. Use sidewalks, not the street, for walking. Never run between parked vehicles.
• Warn children not to eat any treats until you've had a chance to inspect them. When in doubt, throw it out.