In a normal year, parents’ biggest worry about Halloween might be how to keep the kiddos from gorging on too much candy. This year, they have to decide whether to let them trick-or-treat at all.

Some municipalities are making that decision for parents by canceling annual designated trick-or-treat times.

Citing pandemic safety concerns, the Centers for Disease Control says the traditional door-to-door candy quest and trunk-or-treats are “higher risk” activities.

But in a year when so many activities have been canceled, parents may be reluctant to deprive their kids of one more in places where it is allowed.

While no safety measures are foolproof, one positive is that outdoor activities are safer than indoor activities, says Dr. Tom Walsh, medical director of Allegheny Health Network’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Program.

“Parents have to calculate risk and benefit,” he says. “There’s no way to completely eliminate risk, but there are ways to minimize it as much as you can.”

The first thing to consider is the number of covid-19 infections where you live — whether you are in a low- or high-incident area. Next, remember the big three preventatives of frequent hand-washing, face coverings and maintaining distance.

If kids are going out, they should be in cloth masks, not the standard costume masks.

“Halloween masks do not provide any protections. You can get very creative in decorating a cloth mask,” he says.

Kids should go out in small groups and stick with them, not interacting with others on the street. Adults will need to make sure there are no close, prolonged interactions among groups, he acknowledges.

It also would be helpful for municipalities or residents to establish one-way trick-or-treating on the streets, he says.

Candy-givers can get creative, too, says Dr. Amy Crawford-Faucher, vice chair of AHN’s Primary Care Institute.

This is not the year to let little hands grab treats out of one big bowl, she says. Kids will need to wait their turns to be handed goodies individually.

You can keep the little goblins at an even greater distance by passing out treats with an extended-­reach grabber tool or sending them down a length of PVC pipe. Or, you can line up individually prepared goodie bags on the porch or the driveway and depend on the honor system.

For older people and those who are immuno-­compromised, Crawford-­Faucher says, “Even if you usually look forward to sitting outside, this is not the year to have those cute little kids breathing on you.”

It should go without saying, but the CDC also warns that anyone who may have covid-19, or have been exposed to the virus, should not participate in in-person festivities or give out candy to trick-or-treaters.

If you’re still not comfortable with the community candy grab, there are alternatives, Crawford-­Faucher says.

Families can set up indoor candy scavenger hunts, or outdoor versions with a few neighbors. A socially distanced or virtual costume parade or contest with prizes is another alternative.

An outdoor spooky movie night with treats also could fit the bill — just remember to distance appropriately to account for the screaming.

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