SURVEY: Most Alexandrians Get Creative with Treats, and Say 2021 Halloween Will Be Back to Normal
ALEXANDRIA, VA – “We pass out MariBeth’s Bakery spooky decorated Halloween cookies,” said one respondent when asked what their household does and another teased, “Themed candy for our house! Stay tuned, 700 block of Lee Street!”
It turns out most Alexandrians go with candy, the main winners being Reeses and Snickers, but many get very creative when it comes to treats choosing alternatives such as pencils, potato chips, cupcakes, small toys, apples and other non-sugar items.
And most say their Halloween will be back to normal, as reflected in a recent informal survey conducted by Zebra, but there will be at least two candy chutes in town, and some hybrid solutions too, according to the results.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky, in a Sept. 26 interview, said it was ok to tick or treat this year, but families still should use caution.
Of course, Halloween costume and traffic safety measures still apply for trick-or-treaters.
Costume Safety
To help ensure adults and children have a safe holiday, fda.gov has compiled a list of Halloween safety tips.
- All costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant
- If children are allowed out after dark, fasten reflective tape to their costumes and bags, or give them glow sticks
- Opt for nontoxic Halloween makeup over masks, which can obscure vision; always test makeup in a small area first to see if any irritation develops
- Remove all makeup before children go to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation
When They’re on the Prowl
Here’s a scary statistic: Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Lack of visibility because of low lighting at night also plays a factor in these incidents.
Keep these tips in mind when your children are out on Halloween night:
- A responsible adult should accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds
- If your older children are going alone, plan and review a route acceptable to you
- Agree on a specific time children should return home
- Teach your children never to enter a stranger’s home or car
- Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends
- Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home, and take care to avoid any food allergies
- Children and adults are reminded to put electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street
- Always cross streets at corners and check for traffic.
Home Front
- Clean up. Put away tripping hazards, such as garden hoses, toys and bikes. Clear wet leaves, snow or other debris from the sidewalk.
- Turn the lights on. Replace burned-out bulbs to ensure visibility at the walkway and front door.
- Control your pets. Take no chances that your pet might be frightened and chase or bite a child at your door.
Safety Tips for Motorists
NSC offers these additional safety tips for parents – and anyone who plans to be on the road during trick-or-treat hours:
- Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully
- At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing
- Discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween
