LITH Considers Changing Trick-Or-Treat Hours

LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL — Village officials decided not to move forward with a proposal to shorten the time kids can trick or treat in town. An ordinance proposing trick or treating be allowed from 3 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 31, instead the established time frame of 2 to 8 p.m., came before the village's Committee of a Whole during an Oct. 22 meeting, according to village officials.

The proposal will not be brought to the village board for a vote. The village established the current 2 to 8 p.m. trick-or-treat hours in 2001, village officials said. It is one of the longer stretches of time allowed for trick or treating in a town in the suburbs.

"The intention of the established hours is to accommodate a wide variety of family schedules," according to information posted on the village's website.

• Trick or Treat Hours for Towns Throughout the NW Suburbs

Village officials are asking residents who would like to hand out candy on Halloween to turn exterior lights on at any time between 2 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31. 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. Village officials also provided the following safety tips for this Halloween:

• 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.

MORE ON PATCH

Algonquin, LITH 2019 Sex Offender Safety Map

Halloween Week 2019: Library, Park Events; Trick or Treat