Carol Stream taking nominations for Halloween decorating contest

After receiving guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health, the village of Carol Stream has decided to move forward with trick-or-treating.

This Halloween, the village must find a balance between protecting residents and individual responsibility. They ask you to respect your neighbors and use extra caution.

Carol Stream trick-or-treating hours are tentatively extended to Saturday, Oct. 31, from 3 to 8 p.m.

Below are tips for a safer Halloween:

• To opt out, please turn off your porch light and post this sign.

• Opting in? Turn on your porch light and post this inviting sign.

• Skip the grab bowl and set up a small table to place individually wrapped candies and restock as needed.

• Visiting with the ghouls and goblins? Be sure to wear your face mask and maintain physical distance.

• Superheroes wear masks and so should trick-or-treaters. The CDC says costume masks are not a substitute for a cloth mask. Two layers of breathable fabric is a must. Hand sanitizer is also recommended.

• Keep your trick-or-treating crew to six people or less and please respect homes that do not participate.

• Only keep individually wrapped candies. Consider quarantining the trick-or-treat candy and instead snack on some pre-bought treats.

• Not comfortable going out but still want to celebrate with your household? Consider staying home with an indoor Halloween piñata, candy scavenger hunt, or baking spooky sweets.

And last of all, don't forget to decorate your home and submit your nominations for the Halloween Decorating Contest at decoratingcontest@carolstream.org. Contest judging will be completed by Friday, Oct. 30. Nominations can be submitted until Friday, Oct. 23.

As is the theme this year, nothing is set in stone. Please visit www.carolstream.org and follow the village on social media for the latest updates.