People in Cornwall urged not to go trick-or-treating this Halloween
Officials say it could create a "Covid nightmare on your street"
Do not turn Halloween into a "Covid nightmare on your street" in Cornwall.
That is the warning from officials as people are asked not to go trick-or-treating, but instead stay home and follow the rule of six.
Bosses say whilst traditional trick-or-treating will be a 'risky business' given the potential to spread the virus to different households, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy Halloween safely at home.
Bosses say it is important to follow the rules this Halloween to help try and keep coronavirus infection rates low in the Duchy.
“Halloween is definitely not cancelled! We want people to know that there are plenty of ways that people can celebrate safely and have fun.
“This year is a different year in all respects and following the rules around social distancing whilst supervising young ones out and about could make the evening potentially a horror story for all the wrong reasons. We are strongly advising that families do not go trick or treating.
“Due to the rule of six, which applies both indoors and outdoors, traditional Halloween parties and social events cannot take place this year.”
Cornwall’s director of public health, Rachel Wigglesworth
If you are getting dressed up or decorating your home make sure you do it safely. Fire and Rescue Services are urging people to use battery operated tealights instead of candles and to ensure Halloween costumes comply with flammability standards. It should also have a CE mark, which means the product complies with European health and safety requirements.
"This Halloween we would like you to have fun at home and stay safe. Carved pumpkins are a fun way to celebrate, but always use battery-powered candles or tea lights in your pumpkins instead of a real flame which can easily set fire to clothing, curtains and sofas.
"When it comes to dressing up at Halloween, be aware that fancy dress is dangerous around fire - costumes can burn very easily. Keep fancy dress well away from open fires, wood burners, cooking and candles."
Darren Peters, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Area Manager
You should always keep fancy dress costumes away from naked flames but if clothing does catch fire remember to:
Stop! Don’t run - it will only make the fire worse! Protect your face
Drop! Get down onto the floor
Roll! With your arms above your head, roll over and over - this will put out the flames
Cool any burns immediately with cold water and call 999 if it is an emergency.
“Whilst we know how much families love dressing up and trick or treating we would strongly ask that you celebrate Halloween at home this year to help keep our communities safe.
“Following the ‘rule of six’ which applies both indoors and outdoors could make the evening a Covid nightmare for all the wrong reasons, so please don’t go trick or treating.
“Traditional Halloween parties and social events cannot take place this year, but that doesn’t mean Halloween is cancelled there are plenty of ways that people can celebrate safely and have fun.
“We are all getting used to speaking to friends and family online so we are encouraging young people to create online parties where they can invite as many people as they like. We are recommending that vulnerable people, download our ‘No trick, no treat, no meet, no greet’ poster to display in the front door or window of their homes. These can be downloaded from our website.”
Chief Superintendent Matt Longman from Devon and Cornwall Police