Bloomingdale offers tips on celebrating Halloween safely
The Illinois Department of Public Health has released statewide guidance that emphasizes the continued need for social distancing, proper handwashing and for participants to wear masks or face-coverings. Information includes recommendations for neighborhood trick-or-treating as well as other Halloween-inspired activities and events.
In addition, the Centers for Disease Control guidance on Halloween includes low, moderate and high risk activities associated with Halloween. Please note that traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating is considered a high-risk activity by the CDC.
The Village of Bloomingdale does not have any ordinances that regulate trick-or-treating within Bloomingdale municipal limits; it will be up to individuals and families to assess if and how they should participate in Halloween activities. The IDPH and CDC have provided many low-risk alternatives for consideration to ensure a safe Halloween for participants.
Halloween occurs this year on Saturday, Oct. 31. For those who wish to trick-or-treat, recommended hours are from 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. during daylight hours. Avoid trick-or-treating in large groups.
Homes participating in trick-or-treating should turn on their front porch/outdoor lights. If your home will not be handing out candy, please turn off your lights.
Display a sign indicating whether you are participating in trick-or-treating.
For your convenience, the village has created sample signage that can be downloaded at villageofbloomingdale.org and used for this purpose to be displayed on your door, window or another highly visible area.
Do not participate in trick-or-treating or other activities if you, or a member of your group, feels unwell, is awaiting COVID-19 test results, or have been exposed to COVID-19.
Regardless of which activities you choose to take part in, please take extra precautions to maintain social distancing, wear masks or face coverings, avoid touching of the face (mouth/nose/eyes), and use hand sanitizer often.
If your household chooses to participate in trick-or-treating, wear a mask or face covering while handing out candy, wash your hands frequently, and disinfect high touch surfaces outside your home (such as doorbells, doorknobs and buzzers). Make sure children wash their hands after trick-or-treating, especially before eating their candy.
As in year's past, the Bloomingdale Police Department encourages those celebrating Halloween to follow tips that will keep them safe.
• Children should trick-or-treat on well-lit streets in their own neighborhood. Parents or other responsible adults should accompany young children.
• Children should never enter any home to receive treats or for any other reason.
• If children are out after dark, one member of each group should have a flashlight.
• Children should be dressed in light-colored clothing or wear reflective tape.
• Costumes should fit well and not limit mobility or obstruct vision. Avoid costumes requiring "weapons" of any kind.
• Children and adults should always walk on the sidewalks and cross streets at the crosswalks. Never run between parked vehicles.
• All treats should be examined by a parent before they are eaten. Cut and wash fruit before eating. Throw away anything unwrapped. Check wrapped candy for signs of tampering. Call the police to report any suspicious treats. The police department recommends only distributing wrapped candy to children.
• When purchasing a costume, be sure it is made of fire retardant material and avoid long, flowing fabrics.
• Keep exits clear of decorations so that nothing blocks escape routes.
• Dried flowers, cornstalks, hay bales, and crepe paper are highly flammable! Keep these and other decorations away from open flames and heat sources.
• Tell children to stay away from open flames. Make sure they know how to stop, drop, & roll if their clothing catches fire.
• Use a battery-operated candle to light a jack-o-lantern. If you choose a real candle, use extreme caution and place the lit pumpkin away from anything that can burn.