Above / All over Naperville, illuminated decorations remind residents to enjoy Halloween. The Naperville Police remind everyone to be safe.
Thanks to everybody who contributed to all 2019 Halloween festivities. Thanks for celebrating safely in the snow.
Halloween occurs on October 31, and for 2019 it falls on a Thursday. Now it’s time for residents to prepare for little goblins and ghosts to be out for a 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.
Editor’s Note / Though the City of Naperville is without an ordinance, most parents adhere to a preference for Trick or Treat hours to be limited to between 4PM and 8PM. And they leave a porch light on to welcome Trick-or-Treaters. Thank you.
Residents
- Welcome trick-or-treaters with your porch lights and other 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 911.
Motorists
Exercise extreme caution when driving a vehicle, especially during the popular Trick-or-Treating hours of 4 to 8PM.- Be on the alert for excited youngsters, whose vision may be obscured by masks, darting out into traffic.
- Enter and exit driveways with caution.
- Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over!
- Avoid distractions.
Dressing up safely
- Make sure costumes are flame retardant.
- Keep costumes short to prevent trips, falls and contact with flames.
- Encourage make-up instead of a mask. Masks can be hot and uncomfortable, and they can obstruct a child’s vision, which is especially dangerous when crossing streets and going up and down steps.
- Avoid costumes that are overly scary or that require “weapons” of any kind.
- Make sure kids wear light colors or put reflective tape on their costumes. Glow sticks and flashlights are also fun ways to light the way.
Safety First
- It is recommended that young children end trick-or-treating when it begins to get dark. Older children should be in by 8PM.
- 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 Trick-or-Treating without you, create a map of a safe trick-or-treating route in familiar areas. It is always best to keep the activity to your own neighborhood. Agree on a specific time they should be home as well as pre-set check in times.
- Do not eat any treats until they have been inspected.
- Do not go inside anyone’s home. Remain on the porch at all times.
- Do not accept rides from anyone, including people you know, without checking first with a trusted adult.
- 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.
- Do not take shortcuts through back yards, alleys or parks.
- Carry a cell phone for quick communication and review how to call 911.
Parents… Take Note!
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.
Sex Offenders … 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.
