Haunted Jail Tour Canceled: Halloween Options, Safety Tips

POLK COUNTY, FL — The popular Haunted Jail Tour put on by the Polk County Sheriff's Office has been canceled this Halloween season due to coronavirus safety concerns, according to officials.

"As you may have guessed, we will not be hosting the Haunted Jail Tour this year due to the threat of the COVID-19 virus," the Polk County Sheriff's Office said on Facebook. "People cramped into small spaces, screaming and touching everything while feeling their way through the darkness. The threat of spreading this virus just seemed to spooky. We want people be scared to death (not literally, not scared sick (literally).

The Polk County Sheriff's Office reminded residents to play it safe at Halloween events.

Safe Halloween tips are provided below by the Polk County Health Department:

If trick-or-treating is allowed in your community:

• Visit pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apples.
• Attend a small, outdoor and open-air costume parade or have a virtual costume contest.
• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
• Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.-Look for "flame resistant" on the costume labels. Wigs and accessories should also clearly indicate this.-Avoid any sharp or long swords, canes, or sticks as a costume accessory. Your child can easily be hurt by these accessories if he or she stumbles or trips.
• Carve or decorate pumpkins with family members and displaying them. Children can draw a face with markers and parents can do the cutting. Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is safest. Do not place candlelit pumpkins on a porch or any path where visitors may pass close by.

If you're looking for some of the best pumpkin patches in Polk County, Patch has provided a list here: Best Lakeland-Area Pumpkin Patches 2020.

Also, if you're looking for Halloween events, check out Halloween 2020 Happenings In Lakeland.