Tips to keep you safe during Halloween and Día de los Muertos 

Naples, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) recommends residents and visitors celebrate a healthy fall season. The following tips will help keep you and your family safe while celebrating Halloween and Día de los Muertos this year.

Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses, including COVID-19. There are several safe ways to celebrate Halloween. The Halloween safety tips below can help keep you and your family safe.

Celebrate at home! Ways to celebrate Halloween at home:

• Watch spooky movies.
• Create a scavenger hunt for members of your household.
• Host a virtual Halloween costume contest.
• Carve pumpkins with members of your household.
• Host an online party

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers traditional trick-or-treating where children go door-to-door for candy as a higher risk activity for spreading viruses. If you and your family decide to go trick-or-treating this year, practice these tips to help prevent the spread of viruses, including COVID-19.

• Wear a mask or cloth face covering. A costume mask is not a substitute.
• Avoid crowds.
• Use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Wash hands before and after eating.
• If you are planning on giving out treats leave individually wrapped goodie bags on a table for children to take.
• Continue to social distance.

It is important to avoid the following:

• Large gatherings; per the State Surgeon General’s Public Health Advisory avoid gatherings of 10 or larger.
• Crowded indoor events.
• Haunted houses where people may be crowded together and screaming.
• Hayrides with people who are not in your household.

Día de los Muertos festivities take place on November 1st and 2nd. Traditional activities for Día de los Muertos can put you at a higher risk for exposure to viruses, including COVID-19. Celebrating with alternative ways can help keep you and your family safe.

Safe ways to celebrate Día de los Muertos include the following:

• Honor your loved ones at your home.
• Set out pillows and blankets in your home for the deceased.
• Play music in your home that your deceased loved ones enjoyed.
• Make a mask or decorate an altar for the deceased.
• Join a virtual celebration.

It is important to avoid the following:

• Visiting the homes of others, unless you can wear a mask or cloth face covering and socially distance.
• Large gatherings; per the State Surgeon General’s Public Health Advisory avoid gatherings of 10 or larger.
• Sharing food, cups, forks, spoons, knives, and serving utensils.
• Crowded indoor events.

It is important to take everyday precautions to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Stay home if you are sick. Do not participate in holiday activities if you are sick. Wear a mask or cloth face covering when in public settings and when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes. Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects. Cough or sneeze into your shirt sleeve, elbow, or tissue. Throw tissues away immediately after use. Practice social distancing. Stay at least six feet away from others. These everyday precautions can help stop the spread of COVID-19.

For more information regarding virus spreading risk at holiday celebrations, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html#halloween

For more information regarding COVID-19, visit https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla . For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.