Halloween & Costume Association releases suggestions for safe Halloween based on county risk level

(KION) The Halloween & Costume Association has released its own set of safety guidelines based on a color-coded risk map.

The association said the guidelines align with the CDC's distancing guidelines and are based on a color-coded risk map put together by the Harvard Global Health Institute.

The guidelines are split into four zones: Red, Orange, Yellow and Green. Monterey County is in the Orange zone, and San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties are in the Yellow zone.

For counties in the Orange zone, the association suggests doing a reverse trick-or-treat, a trick-or-treat drive by, a costume week with friens and family, a neighborhood candy hunt, a neighborhood pub crawl set up in driveways or a drive-in Rocky Horror Picture Show event.

For counties in the Yellow zone, the association suggests trick-or-treating while following health guidelines, a Yeet the Treats event, drive up trick-or-treating, a neighborhood parade, a family pet parade, setting up a fairytale forest or a face mask party.

Trick-or-treaters are asked to stay home if they are sick, trick-or-treat only with people you live with, stay 6 feet away from anyone not in your household, wear a face mask that covers the nose and mouth and use hand sanitizer often. It also suggests that parents bring a flashlight and inspect candy.

Homeowners are asked to not participate if they are sick, wear face coverings, use duct tape to mark 6-foot lines, keep a distribution table between themselves and trick-or-treaters, distribute candy on a disinfected table and wash hands often.

Homeowners can also take the Safe House Pledge and put up a printable certificate to let neighbors know that you are following safety guidelines.

See more suggestions and find the Safe House Pledge certificate here.