Halloween traditions might look different this year as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, but one creative Ohio man crafted a "touch-free" way to safely pass candy to trick-or-treaters.
Andrew Beattie, of Delhi, posted photos of his homemade, orange and black candy chute. It’s adorned with colored lights and fastened to the handrail leading to his porch.
“I want our youngins to be able to have some sense of normalcy and maybe a little bit of exercise in all this madness, and I've put a LOT of thought into how to do so safely, and I appreciate your concern,” Beattie wrote in a Facebook post on Saturday (September 12) that Facebook users have since shared more than 77,000 times.
Beattie plans to drop candy — from “factory-sealed bags,” while wearing a mask and frequently changing gloves — into the six-foot chute, sending it directly into the bags trick-or-treaters will hold on the other end.
At the end of the chute, a little ghost decoration advises kids to “place buckets here” to catch their candy.
Beattie made it with a cardboard shipping tube and other materials around the house in about 20 minutes.
He crafted it with help from his daughter, Fox19 noted.
Beattie updated the post to acknowledge that while some people would feel comfortable with passing out candy as they would any other year, “many people aren’t feeling the same with it, and that’s okay.”
“If this candy chute makes things easier or safer, AND gives those with mobility challenges more of a chance to participate, then what’s the harm? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, ya’ know,” he continued. “I’m truly honored, flattered and humbled by your support — even the feedback from those who respectfully voiced their objections! Thank you all so much!”
Photo: Andrew Beattie