Keep your little pumpkins safe this Halloween. Children and adults can have a spooktacular night of fun with these tips.

The best way to protect yourself and others from severe illness from COVID-19 on Halloween (and every day) is to stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations.

Use this tool to find out when and where you can get a booster.

Be spooky and safe

  • Stay home if you’re sick. Skip the Halloween party and trick-or-treating if you aren’t feeling well.
  • Get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Take precautions in crowded or indoor events as informed by your county’s COVID-19 Community Level, like wearing a high-quality mask (and Halloween masks don’t count). Consider making the mask part of the costume—like a doctor, nurse, ninja or cowboy.
  • If you’re hosting celebrations, review options for improving ventilation in your home. This can help you reduce virus particles in your home and keep COVID-19 from spreading.
  • Keep your hands clean. If you’re out trick-or-treating, bring hand sanitizer. If you’re giving out candy, wash your hands frequently.
  • Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have a close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

Special considerations

  • People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system should take additional precautions.

Walk safely

  • Children under age 12 should always be accompanied by an adult.
  • Walk from house to house; do not run.
  • Be alert for Halloween decorations in walking paths or on steps.
  • Walk on the sidewalk whenever possible.
  • If there’s no sidewalk, walk against the traffic as far to the left as possible.
  • Use crosswalks when available.
  • Cross at street corners, not in the middle of the street.
  • Put away cell phones and remove earbuds while walking.
  • Teach children not to dart out between parked cars.
  • Be especially alert at driveways when cars may be pulling out.

Need medical attention on Halloween, or anytime?

Visit ChristianaCare-GoHealth Urgent Care and ChristianaCare’s Pediatric Care Center.

Be seen

  • Wear light-colored clothing and costumes.
  • Add reflective tape to your children’s costumes and bags — and add some to your own outfit.
  • Walk in well-lit areas.
  • Take a flashlight or glow stick.

Wear safe costumes

  • Masks may obstruct a child’s vision. Instead, try non-toxic face paint and makeup. Try the make-up in a small area of skin to check for sensitivity before applying to the entire face.
  • Be sure costumes are flame-resistant and fit properly to avoid tripping hazards.
  • Have children wear well-fitted, sturdy shoes. High heels are not a safe choice for a Halloween costume.
  • Tie hats and scarfs securely to prevent them from slipping over children’s eyes.
  • Avoid walking near lit candles or luminaries.
  • Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be soft and made of flexible material.

Looking for easy, healthy treats?

Try these five ghoulishly good Halloween recipes.

Remind older children

  • Walk with a buddy or group.
  • Use a familiar, well-lit route.
  • Go only to homes where the residents are known and have outside lights on.
  • Do not enter any homes while trick-or-treating.
  • Put away electronic devices away to avoid distractions.

Drive cautiously

It’s a sad fact but children are twice as likely to be hit and killed by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Keep these safe driving tips in mind:

  • Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
  • Remember that using a Bluetooth or other hands-free device is also distracted driving.
  • Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
  • Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods.
  • Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
  • Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
  • Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.

Check your treats

  • Remind children to wait until their treats are checked before eating them.
  • Inspect the candy and throw away any candy that is not in an original wrapper.
  • Candy should be discarded if the wrapper is faded or torn, or if the candy is unwrapped.

Have a spooktacular and safe Halloween!

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