Candy Chutes, Grab Bags: Trick-Or-Treating Tips Amid COVID

CHICAGO AREA, IL — COVID-19 has changed — and will continue to change — the way we celebrate holidays this year in the suburbs. And while trick-or-treating will be different, that doesn't mean suburban residents can't get creative when looking at ways to distribute candy amid continued concerns over the spread of COVID-19, state health officials and local village officials have said in recent weeks.

Most towns in the northwest suburbs have posted suggested hours for trick-or-treating but are encouraging, what has now become, standard protocol for social distancing and preventing the spread of the coronavirus: those trick-or-treating or handing out candy should wear masks and people should keep their distance from those not in their immediate group.

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While issuing guidance on how to safely celebrate this Halloween, state health officials urged parents to get creative.

"Challenge yourself and your kids on how you can celebrate these holidays as safely as possible," said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike during a press conference on Wednesday.

"Trick-or-treating could now involve just setting out individually wrapped pieces of candy spaced out on a table where kids in costumes, socially distanced, could still pass by and retrieve them," she suggested.

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Meanwhile, village officials have been doling out more specific guidelines. Many are reminding residents to turn on their porch light or outdoor lights if they are welcoming trick-or-treaters and to turn the lights off if they won't be giving out candy this year.

"Not all families may feel comfortable participating in trick-or-treating this year; teach children not to ring the doorbell if a light is not on," according to guidelines released in recent weeks by the village Cary.

Village officials in Cary also provided some fun ideas for safely handing out candy amid COVID-19 concerns, including setting up a candy chute, hosting a trunk or treat, or creating a grab-bag candy-walk on your lawn. More information on some of those ideas are available here.

Here is a look at times for trick-or-treating for several towns in the far north and northwest suburbs and some of the guidelines put in place:

Libertyville: Village officials are recommending residents not trick-or-treat this year, but has set up guidelines here for those who choose to go. Suggested hours are 4 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31. More info via Libertyville Patch.

Lake Zurich: Trick-or-treating this year in Lake Zurich and hours will be from 3 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31. "Considering ongoing health concerns due to COVID, the Village of Lake Zurich encourages families to celebrate safely and take proper precautions," village officials announced in a statement Thursday. More via the village of Lake Zurich website.

Lake Barrington: Trick or treating will be from 3 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 31 but residents are encouraged to check the village's website as the day nears for any potential updates or changes. Village officials are encouraging those handing out candy to come up with "contact-less" ways to do so, not to enter homes and to wear a mask. More information via the village of Lake Barrington website.

Cary: Trick or treating hours in Cary will be from 3 to 7 pm. on Oct. 31. Village officials are asking residents who are not feeling well or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 to stay home. All people over 2 years old should wear face coverings, use hand sanitizer regularly, keep your distance from others and come up with creative ways of distributing candy that encourages social distancing. More via Crystal Lake-Cary Patch.

Crystal Lake: Crystal Lake has set its hours for 3 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 31. The city released this statement regarding trick-or-treating this year: "If you are uncomfortable with handing out candy, as a way to inform others, please do not turn on your porch light until after the recommended trick-or-treat hours. We then ask parents to please teach your children to not ring the doorbell of a home if a porch light is not on. As a reminder, it’s important for everyone to practice social distancing (staying at least 6 feet away from other people) and to wear a mask in public settings where social distancing is difficult to maintain."

Algonquin: Algonquin has set its trick or treat hours for 3 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 31. The village provides specific guidance for its residents on how to stay safe and healthy this Halloween on its website.

Barrington: Trick or treating will be from 3 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 31. Citing guidelines from the Illinois Department of Public Health, village officials recommend the following measures:

• As an alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating, anyone who would like to distribute treats should leave individually wrapped candy or treats on a table, on their front walkways, sidewalks, or any outdoor space that allows for at least 6 feet of social distance from the door. The individually wrapped candy should be spread out so each piece is not touching another. Anyone distributing candy or treats should wash their hands properly for at least 20 seconds before placing the candy on the table and when replenishing.
• All individuals participating in trick-or-treating, including those passing out candy should maintain social distance of least 6 feet and wear proper face coverings. A costume mask, such as those worn for Halloween, is not a substitute for a face covering. If face coverings are worn under costume masks, please ensure this does not create breathing problems, and if so, discard the costume mask.
• Only household members should trick-or-treat together, and they should maintain 6-feet social distance from other trick-or-treaters at all times. Mixed household trick-or-treaters are discouraged.
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer should be carried and used frequently.
• Candy collected during trick-or-treating should not be consumed until after handwashing. As always, a parent/guardian should check all candy to make sure it is wrapped and should discard unwrapped candy.

Patch will update this list when more towns announce Halloween hours. If we missed your town in the far north or NW suburbs, send info on trick-or-treating to amie.schaenzer@patch.com.