Lakewood Will Allow Trick-or-Treating On Halloween

LAKEWOOD, OH — Lakewood officials will allow trick-or-treating to proceed on Halloween.

The city announced Monday it would follow the Ohio Department of Health's guidance on celebrating a safe Halloween. The guidance ultimately left the decision to proceed with trick-or-treating to municipalities and to families.

"To protect the safety and health of all members of our community while celebrating Halloween, the City of Lakewood encourages caution for Halloween and other fall festivities," the city said in a statement.

Here's the guidance the city and state gave to parents and trick-or-treaters:

• Limit the number of houses you visit
• Have children stay as far from treat-givers as possible
• If you're a parent or guardian, consider holding a collection bag for small children
• Wipe off candy wrappers with sanitizing wipes when you arrive home (do NOT wipe unpackaged food)
• Allow children to eat only factory-wrapped treat and avoid homemade treats this year
• If a child is at greater risk for COVID-19, speak to your family doctor before trick-or-treating

For households distributing candy:

• Brainstorm safe ways to distribute candy while maintaining social distance (try to avoid using a communal candy bowl for children to dig through)
• Consider placing treats on porch steps or on a table in the driveway and ask children to only take one.
• Consider setting up a hand sanitizing station in your driveway or on your porch
• Consider using a candy "slide" made of PVC pipe to distribute candy

To see the state's full Halloween safety guidance, visit the Ohio Department of Health website.