City of Winchester issued the following announcement on Oct. 20
The City of Winchester government does not regulate, schedule or cancel trick-or-treating activities for Halloween each year. In the past, the Winchester Police Department has made a recommendation for the date and times for safety purposes, but when trick-or-treating occurs in the city is up to individual neighborhoods and families.
Fire Safety Tips
The National Fire Protection Association recommends the following Halloween fire safety tips:
- Use a battery-operated candle or glow stick in jack-o-lanterns.
- When choosing costumes, stay away from long trailing fabric.
- Teach children to stay away from open flames, including jack-o-lanterns with candles in them.
- Dried flowers, cornstalks, and crepe paper catch fire easily. Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters.
- Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume.
There is no way to guarantee a COVID-free Halloween so it's important for every family to weigh the risks. If you plan to participate, please follow all health safety guidelines. For a list of other options, including low-moderate-high risk options, view the guidelines released by the Virginia Department of Health and the CDC.
Original source can be found here.