MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake issued some safety tips in advance of Halloween, courtesy of the State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As Halloween is a traditional day of events that typically bring people from different households together, the DOH urges people to take precautions or find safer alternatives.

General tips for Halloween, which falls on Saturday, Oct. 31, offered by DOH include wearing a face covering, avoiding confined spaces and close contact with people outside your own household, washing or sanitizing hands often, and staying home if you’re sick or have been recently exposed to COVID-19.

The DOH offered some recommendations for alternative activities, such as having a scavenger hunt at home, with candy or treats hidden around the house and yard, a movie marathon, and an online costume/pumpkin carving competition.

Traditional trick-or-treating, going from door to door to collect goodies, especially in large groups, is discouraged by DOH.

If a family does elect to go trick-or-treating this year, DOH also recommends that groups stick to their own household and honor the standard social distancing practices as much as possible. A face covering is recommended, and the DOH stated that a plastic costume mask does not substitute for a cloth face covering. Wash or sanitize hands on a frequent basis.

“Trunk-or-treat” events or indoor haunted houses are discouraged this season. If someone is handing out treats this year at their house, individually wrapped bags of treats are recommended as opposed to a communal bowl. If possible, the DOH recommends placing treats in the driveway, or yard, and watching the trick-or-treaters from six feet away.

Many of the CDC’s guidelines for Halloween this year align with typical social distancing measures regarding events and protective measures. The CDC encourages outdoor activities as opposed to indoor events if possible this year.

The CDC recommends having individuals bring their own food for their families as opposed to potluck-style events. If available, use single-use alternatives for items such as salad dressing or ketchup. Self-serve food options should be avoided as well.

Traditional trick-or-treating, trunk-or-treating, crowded indoor costume parties, or indoor haunted houses are all considered higher risk activities by the CDC this year due to COVID-19.