Communities in Clark County and most communities in Champaign County are holding Beggar’s Night 6 to 8 p.m. The Village of Mechanicsburg will hold Beggar’s Night 4 to 6 p.m. due to concerns about increased traffic due to the playoff football game at 7 p.m.
The Ohio Department of Health is encouraging parents and guardians to limit the number of houses children visit, wipe off candy wrappers with sanitizing wipes after trick-or-treating and contact a doctor before trick-or-treating if their child is at greater risk of complications from COVID-19.
Other Halloween recommendations include holding a drive-through or drive-in trick-or-treat event, dropping off treats to friends and neighbors or decorating your home and hiding treats as an alternative to trick-or-treating.
The city of Springfield posted additional Beggar’s Night safety tips on their Facebook page.
Safety tips include wearing a mask with your costume, staying 6 feet apart from other groups and only trick-or-treating with members of your own household, the post said.
Residents passing out candy should not use self-serve candy bowls and should only pass out wrapped candy, the post added.
“We are advising everybody to try to go along with the health department’s rules and regulations that they have put into effect,” Clark County Sheriff Deborah Burchett said. “Hopefully everybody goes out and has a good time, but yet a safe time.”
If residents are not passing out candy, they are encouraged to leave their porch light off, so children do not come to their door.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is also reminding trick-or-treaters and motorists to be on alert.
“Halloween is always a fun night for our youth, but this year, as kids and parents focus on maintaining social distance to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, families crisscrossing the streets must also remember to remain vigilant and watch out for cars,” Col. Richard Fambro, OSHP superintendent said. “Motorists should also be cognizant of the increased pedestrian traffic and remember to watch for children going place to place.”
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