While Halloween will look different this year, many still plan on taking part in the holiday. Mars Wrigley is launching the first-ever digital trick-or-treating app, Treat Town on Oct. 1. Treat Town will offer an immersive experience encouraging celebration and connection, allowing users to collect “candy credits” that can be redeemed for real candy while trick-or-treating in digital neighborhoods near or far.
The virtual Halloween portal will offer Halloween fans of all ages the ability to create personalized spooky avatars, customized Halloween decorations for your in-app door and most importantly, the ability to “knock”on the doors of friends and family across the country. Mars Wrigley Treat Town offers people the chance to still experience Mars Wrigley’s beloved portfolios of brands such as M&M’S, Snickers, Twix and Skittles this season. Participants will earn candy credits in the app which can be redeemed for real Mars Wrigley products through national retail partners, online and in-store.
For those trick-or-treating in-person: Mars Wrigley has partnered with the National Safety Council to help create tips and guidance for a mindful Halloween experience for all during the pandemic. See below for tips for communities, parents and caretakers to keep in mind before, during and after trick-or-treating, as well as safety pointers for those staying behind to pass out candy at home.
2020 Halloween Safety Tips:
Before:
- Buy wrapped candy to hand out to trick or treaters. Fun-Size packs are the easiest form of candy for trick-or-treaters to grab and go. Consider creating fun individual candy goody bags to give out on Halloween – a fun activity to complete with the entire family.
- Make sure your yard is well-lit; replace any burnt-out light bulbs.
- Create signs encouraging trick-or-treaters to stay 6 feet apart and display them in your yard.
- Don’t hand out treats if you’re not feeling well.
- Consider socially distanced options such as “trunk or treating,” during which prepackaged goodies are handed out, or a virtual costume parade.
During:
- Carry a trick-or-treating care pack with hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and extra face masks. Use the sanitizer after picking a piece of candy, and help little ones clean their hands throughout the night.
- Maintain a distance of 6 feet from other groups of trick-or-treaters, allowing one group to collect candy at a time.
- Wear face masks and reflective tape or clothing and carry flashlights or glow sticks if you’re walking in the dark.
- Do “mask checks”: Stop in a safe place and make sure young children’s masks are covering their mouths and noses.
- Use sidewalks and crosswalks; don’t cross the street between cars and be as visible as possible as drivers are often distracted.
- Respect the latest guidelines – such as trick-or-treating hours – provided by your local health and safety officials.
- If you’d prefer to stay indoors but still want to offer treats for your neighbors, consider setting up a grab-and-go “candy corner” for visitors, inclusive of hand sanitizer and treats. Setting up an easy-to-follow, step-by-step process for sanitizing and collecting candy is quick and efficient.
After:
- Wash your hands when you get home.
- Let the candy sit for 24 hours or sanitize the wrappers before eating.
- Throw out any candy that is open, ripped or has torn packaging, an unusual appearance, or pinholes. Discard any homemade items made by people you don’t know. Follow the rule: When in doubt, throw it out.
- If you have a young child, make sure candy they collected isn’t a choking hazard. If it is, discard it.
- Keep candy away from pets, especially chocolate and sugar-free gum, which can be poisonous for your furry friends.
Staying home to hand out treats?
- Move out of the way any items that children could trip over and keep pets inside.
- Stand outside when handing out treats, wear a mask and use hand sanitizer often. Consider keeping a large bottle near you for visitors to use as well.
- Allow one small group at a time at your door.
- Find fun, hands-free ways to give candy to trick-or-treaters to minimize the number of hands reaching into a bowl. You can place candy on your lawn or driveway – maybe in the shape of a pumpkin – so trick-or-treaters don’t have to crowd around your front door, touch handrails or knock.
—Jennifer Swartvagher
All photos courtesy of Mars Wrigley
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