Mayo Clinic experts deem indoor Halloween gatherings "high-risk"

(ABC 6 News) – As we creep closer to October 31, some are wondering how to keep their kids safe and healthy on Halloween. Experts at Mayo Clinic gave tips on celebrating this upcoming holiday.

"Make sure that the trick or treaters are staying outside and not having them enter into your house," said Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, an infections disease specialist at Mayo Clinic.

Here are a few main points:

Prevent your kids from sharing Halloween or medical masks with other kids.

"For safety reasons wearing surgical or medical masks underneath a Halloween mask has been discouraged just because it can make it harder to breathe when you have layering," Rajapakse said.

Experts consider indoor gatherings high-risk. However, limiting gatherings to vaccinated people and wearing masks minimizes risk.

They suggest getting tested three to five days after attending a high-risk activity. They also suggest spending the holiday outside.

"Things like going to a pumpkin patch, apple picking, all those types of things that we can do outdoors this time of year. We know that those who present a low risk of exposure and spread of infection," Rajapakse said.

Rochester’s Fright at the Farm is mostly outdoors.

"We keep you in your group so it’s not like we’re putting a whole bunch of people together," Ted Galaty, owner of Fright at the Farm.

Masks are not required at Fright at the Farm but some choose to wear them anyways.

"Some of our actors have chosen to continue wearing the mask, and I did see patrons last week with masks," Galaty said.

His priority is making the farm a safe place for families.

"We’ve always been about a family-friendly experience."