Unfortunately, the weather forecast is unseasonably cold for the next couple weeks, but not so cold that we can’t celebrate Halloween. In addition to the cooler weather, the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown another bit of a monkey wrench into the regular festivities, but with a little bit of planning and creativity, there are many ways to celebrate Halloween safely and enjoyably.
Clear Your Walks for Safety
We went from a very nice fall to what feels like the beginning of winter in a matter of days here in Calgary, and it’s been a bit of a rough adjustment. We had to switch from our fall clean-up services to snow removal services quicker than usual, and even though we love what we do, we’re just like everyone else in that we would have liked to have a few more weeks of warmer weather.
Beyond stocking up on candy, the most important thing to do in order to celebrate Halloween properly is to ensure your property is safe for trick-or-treaters. All sidewalks, driveways, and walkways should be completely clear of snow and ice so that there are no tripping, slipping, and falling hazards. This protects those who are visiting your property as well as you from potential liability.
Given the temperatures we’re hovering around these days, there is a high potential for snow to melt slightly before freezing again, which leaves a thin sheen of ice that can be very dangerous, and also hard to remove. Salt works great until about 10 below zero, so now is a good time to use it.
Handing Out Candy
The Government of Alberta has provided a number of tips to celebrate Halloween while also maintaining physical distancing measures. First and foremost, anyone handing out candy or going door to door should not have had any symptoms of COVID-19 for the last 14 days or have been in contact with anyone who has tested ppositive.
Trick-or-treating groups should only be comprised of members of family or cohort members. If possible, and it’s not too cold, a suggestion is to set up your candy station outdoors – on your steps or your driveway. Wear a mask and hand out candy using tongs.
If it’s too cold to spend the whole evening outside, experts suggest putting up a sign to discourage trick-or-treaters from ringing the doorbell. Instead, ask them to knock or simply yell out the tried-and-true “trick-or-treat!” Place a table outside your door to ensure proper distance.
Another idea is to keep your door closed and leave candy out on your table in individual bags. Put up a sign requesting visitors take only one at a time.
It is recommended that kids wear masks over their noses and mouths while trick-or-treating. With some thought, you could even match it to their costume. For example, a Spiderman costume could be worn with a mask festooned with spider webs. Costumes should also allow for the layering of clothing underneath to stay warm, and should provide ease of movement and clear visibility.
When home, trick-or-treaters should wash their hands, wipe down candy wrappers with a disinfectant wipe, and then wash hands again. Then, enjoy!
More Ways to Celebrate Halloween Safely
- Make sure your pathways are clearly lit. While Halloween is a spooky time of year, be sure that visitors can find their way to your front door easily. Keep a bright, unobstructed light burning so that nobody has a hard time making their way up your walkway or steps.
- Never use candles or open flames in decorations – including pumpkins. Instead of real candles, use LED-based lighting sources or battery-operated faux candles.
- Follow directions of use for decorations carefully. Do not run them for too long and ensure bulbs are not above the suggested wattage.
- Never overload circuits with numerous extension cords. Also do not allow extension cords to lay across pathways to cause a tripping hazard.
- Keep walkways clear of clutter. Don’t let your decorations impede paths.
Snow Removal Services From Mirage Landscaping
Mirage Landscaping is a family-owned business, and we work hard to maintain the reputation we have worked for decades to earn. Our snow removal contracts are clear and detailed so you know exactly what our obligations are, and we always live our promises to the letter.
In addition to snow removal services, we also provide landscape maintenance and landscape construction services. We specialize in serving the southeast communities of Calgary, where we have lived and worked for several years. Contact us today for a fast and easy quote using our online form, or else give us a call at 403-252-5235.
