Health Experts Offer Tips To Stay Safe This Halloween

Halloween is Sunday and a lot of people are already celebrating. Meanwhile, health experts say they've learned a lot since this time last year about how to stay safe and healthy while still enjoying the holiday.

It's spooky season and health and safety experts say that's great, but let's keep the dangerous stuff to a minimum. It's that time of year again when adults act like kids for a night, and kids go candy crazy.

Chris King said Trick-or-Treat on Main Street in Jenks was his daughter's first Halloween experience.

"Oh, she's excited," said King.

The Crime Prevention Network wants parents to be alert this weekend. King said he's already watching for any trouble.

"Keep a close eye on them and try your best to check the candy," said King.

Network Executive Director Karen Gilbert said kids should never go inside a stranger's home to get candy.

"Just use common sense. I mean, you know, let's all be safe," said Gilbert. "Halloween is an evening that you want to practice stranger danger."

She said drivers need to look out for pedestrians, and trick-or-treaters should stick to the sidewalk.

"If you can, stay in your own neighborhood. That's most important because you know your neighbors. You know that it's safe. Don't get out and drive," said Gilbert. "Stay in your neighborhood, walk, and make sure you carry that flashlight, make sure that the costumes fit appropriately, and make sure that you check the treats after you receive them, once you get home."

Gilbert said young adults who plan to go out and the party need to be responsible. She said, for those who plan to drink, it's important to use a ride-sharing app or ride with someone who is sober and that you know and trust.

The Tulsa Health Department said the risk of outdoor transmission of COVID-19 is pretty low. Epidemiologist Madison Thomas said restaurants and bars with outdoor seating options or other outdoor-centered festivities like bonfires are good options for young adults.

Thomas recommends trick or treating in small groups, washing hands before digging into your candy stash, and wearing a mask to protect everyone from the virus.

"That would definitely be a trick, not a treat, right," said Thomas?

Thomas reminds everyone that many kids haven't gotten the opportunity to be vaccinated yet.

"It makes it even all the more important to take these other precautions," said Thomas.

She is encouraging folks to get vaccinated as we enter the holiday season.

"You can still go and get vaccinated to protect yourself, moving into the holiday season, because of course, Halloween sort of kicks off all the activities that are to come," said Thomas.

The department said a costume mask shouldn't replace a normal face covering. As an added precaution, you can place a candy bowl six feet from you and still greet your trick-or-treaters.

"Happy Halloween," said King.

The Crime Prevention Network asks you to look out for your neighbors this Hallowee-kend. If you see something suspicious, you can call crime stoppers at 918-596-COPS.