Halloween Trick Or Treating In Lake In The Hills

From the Village of Lake in the Hills:

The Village’s current trick-or-treating hours are between 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, established by ordinance in 2001. Trick-or-treating will not be rescheduled due to the inclement weather.

An ordinance to shorten the hours to 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm was considered at the October 22nd Committee of the Whole meeting and did not move forward to be included on the Village Board meeting agenda. Therefore, a vote will not take place and the Village's 2001 ordinance establishing trick-or-treat hours from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm will remain in place. The intention of the established hours is to accommodate a wide variety of family schedules. Minutes from all public meetings can always be found on the Village’s meeting schedule and agenda page on our website here.

Participation during these hours is up to individual preferences. It is suggested that residents turn exterior lights on at any time between these hours to indicate participation in trick-or-treating. Keeping front lights off is suggested if you wish to indicate that your home is not one to stop at.

Halloween Safety

Halloween is a time of costumes, fun, trick or treating and parties. Goblins, ghosts and ghouls of all ages, shapes and sizes will be out and about. During this time of trickery and treats there are several things to keep in mind to ensure a safe, happy Halloween for all.

• Drivers should pay particular attention when driving through residential areas being constantly ready for a darting young ghost.
• Drivers shouldn’t use their cell phone while driving on Halloween night. Driver distraction has caused an increase in traffic crashes and there will be many young children out that night.
• The obvious checking of candy before your children eat is a must, but consider making sure they have a filling meal prior to trick-or-treating to reduce their chance of sneaking a snack out of hunger before your inspection.
• Costumes should be flame retardant, and if they don’t already have some type of reflective tape see if you can somehow work some into the costume. Visibility is a must if they happen to get excited and run ahead of you.
• While not a pleasant thing to think of, Halloween is a night child predators could look for victims. Parents can access the Illinois State Police Sex Offender Registration website and enter your address. The map will show you the addresses of all registered sex offenders within the distance of your home.
• Finally, for our four-legged family members remember that constant doorbell ringing and knocking may be too much excitement for them to handle. Consider setting up a quiet room for them where they can escape the anxiety. It is also important to remember that a dog may nip at kids in costumes if frightened and they may also get loose with the frequent door openings. And finally, remember that candy is never good for animals, and chocolate is toxic to them.
• Children will be able to trick or treat throughout the miniature town located behind the Safety Education Center at 1109 Crystal Lake Road on Thursday, October 31, 2019 from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

This press release was produced by the Village of Lake in the Hills. The views expressed here are the author’s own.