The Naperville Police Department released a comprehensive safety guide for Halloween, urging families to plan trick‑or‑treating early and follow specific precautions to keep children safe on Saturday, Oct. 31.
Recommended Hours
Police recommend that young children stop when it begins to get dark and that older children be home by 8 PM. Although Naperville has no city ordinance setting official trick‑or‑treating hours, most residents treat 4 PM to 8 PM as the customary window for door‑to‑door visits. Sunset on Halloween will be around 5:45 PM, so early routes are advisable for the youngest participants.
Daylight‑Friendly Options
Families who prefer daylight can attend the downtown Naperville Halloween Hop on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 10 AM to noon. Participating shops and restaurants display event posters, and Jefferson and Main streets are closed to traffic during the event. Free parking is available in the Van Buren and Water Street parking decks.
Homeowner Preparations
Homeowners should turn on porch lights if they are welcoming trick‑or‑treaters and turn them off if not. Clear walkways, steps, and lawns of hoses, decorations, and wet leaves that could cause trips and falls. Use battery‑operated candles or LED lights in jack‑o‑lanterns instead of open flames.
Treat Recommendations
Police suggest offering non‑food treats for children with food allergies and advise residents to report any suspicious or criminal activity by calling 911. Homemade or unwrapped treats should stay out of the candy bowl.
Costume Safety
Costumes should be flame‑resistant and short enough to prevent trips, falls, and contact with flames. Face paint is preferable to a mask; if a mask impairs vision or breathing, remove it. Police advise skipping overly scary costumes or those that include any kind of “weapon.” Light colors or reflective tape, glow sticks, and flashlights improve visibility.
Trick‑or‑Treating Guidelines for Children
Children should not trick‑or‑treat alone; small groups are best. If older children go without an adult, they should stay within familiar neighborhoods, agree on check‑in times, and have a firm curfew. They should stay on the porch and never enter a stranger’s home.
Street Safety for Pedestrians
Use sidewalks, cross only at corners, and look both ways. Never dart between parked cars, and avoid shortcuts through backyards, alleys, or parks. Carry a fully charged cell phone and keep eyes up rather than on a screen. Children should never accept rides from anyone, even acquaintances, without a trusted adult’s approval.
Candy Inspection
Adults should inspect all candy in a well‑lit area and discard anything homemade, unwrapped, or tampered with. Only eat treats that remain in their original, unopened wrappers.
Driver Safety
Drivers should exercise extreme caution, especially between 4 PM and 8 PM, as masks or costumes can block a child’s vision and excited youngsters may dart into the street. Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly, and keep phones out of sight while driving.
Traffic and Alcohol
Because Halloween falls on a Saturday night, expect more parties and heavier traffic. Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Plan ahead with a designated sober driver, rideshare, cab, or public transportation.
Following these guidelines will help ensure a safe and enjoyable Halloween for all Naperville residents.
Original reporting: Positively Naperville (Aurora area) — read the source article.
