Above / Naperville Police urge residents to enjoy Halloween safely by following some simple advice. Keeping the community safe is everyone’s responsibility. Just ask McGruff the Crime Dog and Sparky the Fire Dog.
This year, Halloween will occur on Monday, October 31, 2016, which means it’s time for residents to prepare for little goblins and ghosts to be out for night of fun in our community.
There is no City ordinance in Naperville designating official Trick-or-Treating hours for children, but the Naperville Police Department would like to offer these Halloween safety tips to ensure that Halloween is a fun and festive time for all.
Residents
Welcome trick-or-treaters with your porch lights and any exterior lights on.
Do not give homemade or unwrapped treats to children.
Report any suspicious or criminal activity to the Naperville Police Department immediately by dialing 9-1-1.
Motorists
Exercise extreme caution when driving a vehicle. Be on the alert for excited youngsters, whose vision may be obscured by masks, darting out into traffic.
Dressing up safely
Make sure costumes are flame retardant.
Keep costumes short to prevent trips and falls.
Try make-up instead of a mask. Masks can be hot and uncomfortable, and they can obstruct a child’s vision, a dangerous thing when kids are crossing streets and going up and down steps.
Avoid “terrorist type” costumes and those requiring “weapons” of any kind.
Make sure kids wear light colors or put reflective tape on their costumes. Glow sticks are also a fun way to light the way.
Safety First
There is safety in numbers. A responsible adult should always accompany young children and make sure older kids trick-or-treat with friends.
If older children are going out without you, create a map of a safe trick-or-treating route and set a time limit for your child to be out with check in times. It is always best to keep the activity to your own neighborhood.
Do not go inside anyone’s home. Remain on the porch at all times.
Do not accept rides from strangers.
Children should remember to look both ways before crossing the street and to cross at corners only. Use sidewalks, not the street, for walking. Be sure to “Stop, Look and Listen.” Never run between parked vehicles.
It is recommended that young children end trick-or-treating when it begins to get dark. Older children should be in by 8 p.m.
Do not take shortcuts through back yards, alleys or parks.
Do not eat any treats until they have been inspected.
Treats
An adult should inspect all candy in a well-lit place and discard any homemade or unwrapped treats. Eat only unopened candies and other treats that are in original wrappers.
Alert! Special Notice
Parents should know where registered sex offenders live to avoid placing children in a risky situation. Visit the City of Naperville website at www.naperville.il.us/sexoffenders to access a link to registered sex offenders, searchable by location.
News submitted by Commander Jason Arres, Office of Professional Standards Public Information Officer, for the Naperville Police Department.
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