COLUMBUS – Halloween traditions should look a little different this year to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
For those who venture out to trick-or-treat, health experts say it will be important to social distance, sanitize hands regularly and wear a face covering. They also say anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, known exposures to the virus or pending tests results should stay home.
Trick-or-treating is scheduled for Thursday night in most central Ohio communities and, historically, when Halloween falls on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday, motor vehicle crashes jump nearly 50%, according to the AAA.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has found Halloween night between 4:00 p.m. and midnight is the deadliest night of the year for pedestrians. To reduce the number of pedestrian-involved accidents, the auto club recommends motorists should check trick-or-treat dates for areas they drive through regularly.
New Albany and Westerville are among the central Ohio communities that have rescheduled trick-or-treating from Thursday to Saturday due to the weather.
Click here for a list of Beggars’ Night dates and times in central Ohio
The auto club also recommends drivers slow down. The foundation says a pedestrian is nearly twice as likely to be killed if they’re hit by a car going 30 mph compared to if they’re hit at 25 mph. Drivers should also avoid distractions and drive sober.
The AAA says trick-or-treaters should carry a flashlight and add reflective tape to costumes or bags. Ensure costumes fit well.
Ghosts, princesses and Ninja Turtles should cross streets only at the corner, never between parked cars or mid-block.