Connecticut Children’s Celebrates Halloween With COVID-19 Safe Reverse Trick or Treating Event for Patients

Hartford, CT– Doctors, nurses and team members at Connecticut Children’s didn’t let a little snow or a global pandemic stop them from celebrating Halloween in a COVID-19 safe way this year! Employees dressed up in their favorite Halloween costumes and delivered treats to the patients and families on inpatient floors at today’s annual Reverse Trick-or-Treat event.

The event has become a popular Halloween tradition at the Medical Center, especially with those children who are unable to go out Halloween night because of illness. Patients get to see their favorite doctor or nurse dressed up in costumes.  All treats were delivered in sanitary baggies and left at each patient rooms. Staff dressed up in everything from Trolls World Tour characters, Purell bottles, Legos, a traditional New England lobster dinner and even coffee baristas!

It’s important to remind parents, that during the pandemic, traditional trick-or-treating is considered a higher risk activity because of the typically large groups of children, and potential for face-to-face and high-touch moments (like grabbing candy).

If families choose to trick-or-treat during COVID-19, plan ahead to be safe.

1. Wear a mask & not just the costume kind. Keep in mind that most costume masks alone aren’t effective at stopping the spread of germs. So make sure your child wears at least a two-ply face mask, and check that they can breathe comfortably if they are also going to use a costume mask. A better way to go – a Halloween-themed two-ply face mask!
2. Limit the group size. Keep your child’s trick-or-treating group to just siblings or a close friend or two.
3. Limit the houses you visit. To limit unnecessary exposure to others, just go to a few homes on your street, or to visit just a few friends you know well.
4. Social distance. Leave lots of space between any other trick-or-treaters.
5. Plan ahead to avoid contact. Neighbors should wear masks and gloves and stay outside their front door or at the end of their driveway or yard, so kids don’t have to touch door surfaces. Instead of having kids reach into a communal candy bowl, they should use gloves to hand out individual bags to each child and set up a one-way route to avoid crowding.
6. Take precautions while prepping goody bags. If you are the one preparing goody bags, wash your hands to soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after prepping bags.
7. Practice good hand hygiene. Remember to have kids use hand sanitizer in between homes to further reduce risk.
8. Stay home if you might be sick. If any of your family members are feeling sick or think you may have been exposed to the coronavirus, please stay home and quarantine!

About Connecticut Children’s
Connecticut Children’s is the only hospital in Connecticut dedicated exclusively to the care of children and ranked one of the best children’s hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and a Magnet® designated hospital. Connecticut Children’s provides more than 30 pediatric specialties along with community-based programs to uniquely care for the physical, social, and emotional needs of children. Our team of pediatric experts and care coordinators bring access to breakthrough research, advanced treatments for both rare and common diseases, and innovative health and safety programs to every child. Connecticut Children’s is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to improve access to healthcare for all children through convenient locations, care alliances and partnerships.