It’s that time of year again! Spooky decorations litter the stores, preventing the Christmas lights from taking over the holiday aisle. As a self-proclaimed Halloween enthusiast, this is my favorite time of the year. So naturally, I’ve been trick-or-treating countless times, and I’ve seen it all. Dogs in costumes. Massive inflatable decorations. Haunted houses. But recently, Halloween has been different.
Last year, I cautiously went trick-or-treating with my sisters and my neighbor. We masked up, wore gloves, and quarantined our candy hauls for 48 hours. My neighborhood was still decorated, but most of the candy was individually bagged and left outside. The houses stayed dark, and the streets remained bare. 2020 definitely had a lot of firsts. This year, it is more important than ever to stay safe during Halloween. The post-vaccine world has allowed for more freedom and a faster return to normalcy. Inevitably, this has led to larger social gatherings. Still, COVID-19 has not gone away and we need to remember how to stay safe this Halloween.
1. Be Mindful of Covid Restrictions
As always, be conscious of your actions and how they can influence others. According to the CDC website, “Even those who are fully vaccinated should wear a mask in public indoor settings in communities with substantial to high transmission.” College parties tend to get crowded, and in the midst of the pandemic, it is incredibly important to practice healthy habits. In fact, according to Dr. Linsey Marr, a leading expert on viral transmission, it is best to wear a mask when we do not know the vaccination status of others or the ventilation situation. Dr. Marr insists that, “we need to wear the best masks possible in high-risk situations.” As noted by Dr. Marr, the “best masks” are well-fitting and are “reducing 70 percent of the most penetrating particles and trapping 90 percent or more of the larger particles.” Dr. Marr cites N95 masks as an example. As the CDC notes, it never hurts to take extra precautions during this time. If you’re planning on having a party or attending one, check in with your friends and make sure everyone is on the same page. Most parties are indoors due to the weather so make sure there is enough space to safely host everyone.
2. Follow the Law
While the spirit of mischief runs high, Halloween still is not an excuse to engage in inappropriate conduct. Being at college means being in the presence of college parties, which often include alcohol. Moreover, Halloween falls on a weekend this year, a time where people are free to unwind. On average, 9.3% of men and 6.6% of women have blacked out due to alcohol-involved Halloween celebrations. Furthermore, alcohol consumption on Halloween weekend is comparable to consumption at well-known alcohol-filled events, such as college sport game days. Although Halloween is just one day, it is still evident that irresponsible behavior poses a danger to others. Alcohol consumption, coupled with the operation of motor vehicles, can lead to disaster. According to Edgar Snyder & Associates, a personal injury law firm, “23% of pedestrian fatalities on Halloween night included a drunk driver.” Additionally, “44% of national fatal crashes during Halloween weekend involved a driver or motorcyclist with a BAC of 0.08 or higher.” Even if you are not planning on driving this Halloween, be wary of how much alcohol you are consuming. When going out, do not drink alcohol right before leaving so that you can be aware of your surroundings. You can not control the actions of others but you can drink responsibly and be vigilant when getting from one destination to another.
3. Party Pointers
When it comes to costumes, be strategic and avoid costumes that restrict your movement. Keep factors, such as commute distance and weather, in mind before you make your choice. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), from October to November 2018, there were an estimated “4,500 Halloween-related injuries that were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.” And, 25% of those are attributed to “falls while putting up or taking down decorations, tripping on costumes or walking while trick-or-treating.” Overall, stay away from clothing that can get caught easily or hinder your motion.
As for attending parties, stick with a group and pay attention to your surroundings. Halloween parties can be hectic; the costumes alone can make it difficult to identify others. Use a buddy system and never leave your drink or your personal belongings unattended. From 2011 to 2021, Travelers Insurance noted a 22% increase in “crime-related insurance claims.” Party hosts should keep track of guests and consider making parties invite-only to prevent the presence of unwanted visitors.
Halloween 2021 is another milestone for society’s return to pre-pandemic normality. The bottom line: take care of each other, be vigilant, trust your instincts, and have fun. Enjoy the decorations, the costumes, and most importantly, the Halloween spirit.
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