City offers Halloween safety tips

As a reminder to residents, the City of Naperville has no ordinance regulating trick-or-treating hours on Halloween, which occurs this year on Monday, October 31. The Naperville Police Department recommends that young children end trick-or-treating when it begins to get dark and older children end by 8 p.m.

Below are several safety tips to make Halloween a fun, festive and safe time for all:

• Make sure children carry a flashlight and are accompanied by an adult when trick-or-treating. Glow sticks are also a fun way to light the way.

• Costumes should be light-colored or decorated with reflective tape. Make sure costumes do not interfere with vision or movement. Long, flowing costume layers may be a hazard, especially if children come in contact with a glowing jack-o-lantern.

• Have children trick-or-treat in their own neighborhood and in well-lit areas. Be sure they avoid short cuts or places where they cannot be seen or heard by others, and instruct children never to enter a house while trick-or-treating.

• All children are encouraged to trick-or-treat with a friend. If children are trick-or-treating without an adult, be sure to establish a curfew so children know when they need to arrive home. Also, as a parent, be sure that an established route is discussed and agreed upon so that you know where your children will be trick-or-treating.

• Households welcoming trick-or-treaters should leave on a porch light or other exterior light. Never ask children to step inside to receive their treats and call 9-1-1 immediately if you suspect a child is lost or in trouble.

• Tell children not to eat any of their treats unless examined by a parent. Call the police if there are any suspicious treats.

• Children should remember to look both ways before crossing the street and cross at corners only. Be sure to tell children to “Stop, Look and Listen.”

For more information on Halloween safety, visit www.naperville.il.us/halloween.aspx. For more information on the City of Naperville, visit www.naperville.il.us. Sign up to receive the latest news on the City of Naperville's projects and initiatives via e-mail at www.naperville.il.us/enews.aspx.