The Village of Homewood Does Not Encourage Trick-Or-Treating

HOMEWOOD, IL — Going trick-or-treating in Homewood this year? The village thinks it might not be safe to do so.

The Village of Homewood said trick-or-treating is not encouraged this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The village said that although it is not recommended by the CDC, a list of guidelines should be followed to try and stay safe.

Even though the village is not encouraging residents to participate in trick-or-treating this year, children may do so on Saturday, Oct. 31, between 3-7 p.m.

The village said not all families will feel comfortable participating in trick-or-treating this year and to teach children not to ring the doorbell if someone's light is not on.

"Participating in trick-or-treating is a personal choice for each family, and neighbors may choose differently from others based on their own comfort levels," the village said.

While Homewood is not encouraging trick-or-treating due to the pandemic, the village said the following guidelines will help promote a safe experience for families and individuals that choose to participate:

• Do not participate in trick-or-treating if you feel sick, or if someone at home is sick. If you are awaiting COVID-19 test results, if you have recently returned from travel to a hotspot state, or if you know that you have been exposed to COVID-19, do not participate this year.
• Turn on your porch lamp or outdoor lights to show that your home is participating in trick-or-treating this year.
• Think about using a motion-activated noise maker to notify you when trick-or-treaters are at the door, such as a motion-activated Halloween decoration, rather than having people ring the doorbell.
• Face coverings should be worn by all participating, except those under 2-years-old.
• Avoid close contact with others by leaving candy on your porch – or even physically-distanced on your lawn.
• If making goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing the bags.
• Participants should use hand sanitizer regularly.
• Do not trick-or-treat in groups with others; trick-or-treat as a household.
• Maintain a distance from other trick-or-treating groups. Do not approach a house until the previous group has left.
• Consider handing out treats other than candy that parents can sanitize before giving to kids, such as stickers, pencils, mini pumpkins, erasers, etc.
• Don't distribute coins or cash.
• Don't distribute homemade treats or fresh fruits.

The Village said there are some creative ways to pass out the candy this year that would avoid trick-or-treaters coming to your door. Some of these ideas could be to create a grab-bag candy walk on your lawn, where you place candy inside recyclable paper lunch bags so each child can simply pick up a bag of treats. Other ideas include hanging treats from a clothesline at children's height and marking a safe distance from your door using chalk and ask children to stand behind the line before you open the door to pass out candy.

The CDC says the following Halloween activities are high-risk to spread COVID-19:

• Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door.
• Having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots.
• Attending crowded costume parties held indoors.
• Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming.
• Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household.
• Using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgement and increase risky behaviors.
• Traveling to a rural fall festival that is not in your community if you live in an area with community spread of COVID-19.

For more information on the Village of Homewood's Halloween guidelines, visit the website. For additional CDC guidance on how to celebrate Halloween this year, click here.