Naperville Police Urge Residents to Enjoy Halloween 2023 Safely

This year, Halloween falls on Tuesday, Oct. 31, which means 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 recommends that young children end trick-or-treating when it begins to get dark and older children end trick-or-treating by 8 p.m. Additionally, Naperville Police would like to offer these Halloween safety tips to ensure that Halloween is a safe, fun and festive time for all.

Safety First

• Report any suspicious or criminal activity to the Naperville Police Department immediately by dialing 911.
• 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 go inside anyone’s home. Remain on the porch at all times.
• 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/NPDinvestigations to find a link to registered sex offender information, searchable by location.
• 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 fully charged cell phone for quick communication and review how to call 911 in an emergency.

Motorists

• Exercise extreme caution and avoid distractions when driving a vehicle, especially during the popular trick-or-treating hours of 4 to 8 p.m.
• Be on the alert for excited youngsters, whose vision may be obscured by masks, darting out into traffic.
• Don’t drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Designate a sober driver or use a rideshare service, cab company, or public transportation. Drive sober or get pulled over.

Costumes

• Make sure costumes are flame retardant.
• Keep costumes short to prevent trips, falls and contact with flames.
• 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.

Treats

• Do not give homemade or unwrapped treats to children.
• 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.

About Naperville: Located 28 miles west of Chicago, Naperville, Ill., is home to approximately 150,000 people. This vibrant, thriving city consistently ranks as a top community in the nation in which to live, raise children and retire. The city is home to acclaimed public and parochial schools, the best public library system in the country, an array of healthcare options and an exceptionally low crime rate. Naperville has ready access to a variety of public transportation, housing and employment options. The city’s diversified employer base features high technology firms, retailers and factories, as well as small and home-based businesses. Residents also enjoy world-class parks, diverse worship options, the opportunity to serve on several City boards and commissions, a thriving downtown shopping and dining area, a renowned outdoor history museum known as Naper Settlement and an active civic community. For more information, please visit our website at www.naperville.il.us.