The Niles Police department would like to recommend hours for parents to consider for a safe trick or treating experience this year. The recommended times for trick or treating are 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. As a reminder these times are only a recommendation. Each parent or guardian should consider what is best for their individual child.
Chief of Police Dean Strzelecki wishes everyone to have a safe and happy Halloween experience and to encourage that their children “Make Wise Choices!”
For Parents:
• Make sure kids under 12 go trick-or-treating with a parent or other trusted adult.
• Give kids a flashlight or glowstick and add reflective tape to their costumes to make them more visible to motorists.
• Accompany your children (or send an older sibling) and make sure they don’t enter anyone’s home without your permission.
• Use makeup instead of a mask, so your child’s view is not obstructed.
• Make a trick-or-treat route map for your children.
• If you are concerned about sex offenders in Niles please consult the Illinois Sex Offender Registration at http://www.isp.state.il.us/sor/. As a reminder Illinois Law prohibits registered sex offenders from participating in any holiday event involving children, including Halloween.
• Make sure kids cross only at corners — and look in all directions first. Remind them to use sidewalks or walk facing traffic so approaching cars can be seen.
• Caution them against crossing the street between parked cars, where drivers can’t see them.
• Warn children not to eat any goodies until you’ve had a chance to inspect them. When in doubt, throw it out.
For Kids:
• Stay in neighborhoods you know well and only go to houses with exterior lights on.
• Only accept candy at the door; don't go inside.
• Cross the street only at corners and look both ways for oncoming cars.
For Drivers:
• Slow down and watch for children, especially while backing out of driveways or making turns.
• If you're driving kids to an event, let them enter and exit the car only from the curb side of the vehicle.
For Candy-Givers:
• Please turn on your outside lights as a guide to trick or treaters and their parents that you are a participating home. As a reminder Registered Sex Offenders in Illinois are not allowed to participate in Halloween or any other holiday event and should have their outside lighting off.
• Consider the age of the child to whom you're giving candy. Small hard candies can be a choking hazard for little kids.
• Clean up lawn accessories and clear your walkway so kids don't trip.
• Keep Fido and other pets inside.