Happy Halloween! The spookiest day of the year is officially here but thanks to COVID-19 it is very different this year.

So how can you and your family stay safe this year?

Luckily Teddington Nub News and Richmond Council is here to help with five great tips for staying safe today.

1. Trick or Treating is a risk

Unfortunately one of the biggest parts of Halloween this year is a risk.

Multiple children sharing the same sweets bowl poses a lot of unnecessary contact.

So this year you'll have to keep all your own sweet to yourself - which is exactly what I'll be doing!

2. Halloween costumes are not face masks

While they may cover your faces in some instances Halloween costumes do not count as face masks.

So that means that going to the shops dressed as the Grim Reaper is not complying with the rules.

3. There are plenty of fun activities you can do in your home

The council recommends:

Pumpkin competition – Families are invited to submit images of their pumpkin creations. Entries will be shared on our social media. Households are also encouraged to display their pumpkin on their doorsteps or in a front window.

Colouring competition – The Council launched their Halloween poster that children can colour in, display in their windows and share their creations online.

House decorating – Families are encouraged to decorate their house with all things ghoulish and scary and to share their creations with the Council online.

Halloween scavenger hunt – parents can lay out a scavenger hunt around the house or outdoor areas of their garden or street for children to explore and find hidden treats.

Home movie night – with an array of spooky Halloween favourites available on all streaming services and from local libraries why not put a scary film on for some fun and scares on Halloween night.

Home fancy dress party – all the family can get involved and dress up with their Halloween outfits. Children can also use video conferencing software to connect with their friends on the night and to show off their scary outfits.

Spot the Pumpkin - parents can prepare a bag of treats for their children/household and go on a pumpkin hunt around their local areas and every time a child spots a pumpkin the child receives a treat. Trick or Treat with a difference.

4. Enter the colouring competition

If you fancy getting a bit competitive and doing a bit of colouring then you are seriously in luck.

The Council has launched a spooky Halloween colouring competition. Children are invited to download and print off the Council's pumpkin stencil and to fill it with colour and to share their creations via social media.

Complete the competition HERE

5. Be Kind

Most importantly lets respect everyone and just generally be nice.

Teddington is such a great community so lets keep that up over Halloween.