In efforts to help minimize unsafe situations, parents are requested to limit trick-or-treating on Thursday, October 31, from 3 p.m., to no later than 7 p.m., and are encouraged to plan for a safe Halloween with a few safety tips.
- Costumes should be fireproof.
- If facemasks are used, make sure your children can see well enough through them. Consider using makeup instead.
- Costumes should be made of white or very light-colored materials. You can decorate your child's costume and trick-or-treat bags with reflective tape or patches to make them highly visible to motorists.
- Toy weapons and other props, i.e., swords, broomsticks, hatchets, wands, etc. should be made of cardboard or Styrofoam. Sharp instruments are dangerous.
- Children should wear their regular shoes instead of costume shoes.
- Trick-or-treating should be done during daylight hours. If out after dark, provide each of your children with a flashlight to prevent falls on porch steps and on sidewalks. Do not use jack-o-lanterns or candles.
- A responsible adult or teenager should accompany each group of children. Never let your children travel down a street by themselves. Walk with them to each house and wait in the driveway and/or by the door until the children return.
- Instruct your children that they should never enter the home of a stranger or accept rides.
- Watch for traffic and always walk while trick-or-treating. Never run.
- Try, if possible, to limit the size of each group of children to four or five.
- Adults can help by keeping their front yards well lighted.
- Parents should check all "treats" before allowing children to eat them. Only give or accept wrapped or packaged candy.
- Stay in your own neighborhood and go to houses that have porch lights on.
- Parents should know exactly the route their children are taking and should set a time limit for trick-or-treating.
- To help trick-or-treaters who come to your house, remove all obstacles from the steps, porch, sidewalk and lawns.
- Trick-or-treating should be for young children only.
"If anything unusual occurs or you suspect candy tampering, the Lombard Police, 9-1-1, should be called immediately," said Chief Newton. “Do not hesitate to dial 9-1-1 if you feel, or witness something unsafe.”
For additional questions please call the Lombard Police Department at (630)873-4400.