Trick Or Treat In Abington: Hours, Safety Tips

ABINGTON, PA — Wondering when to turn off the front porch lights Oct. 31 and bid farewell to another Halloween? Wondering when to get your kids off the street and usher them inside?

Abington has not announced a designated trick or treating time in the township, meaning that October 31 is currently the de-facto "witching hour." Officials generally advise parents and children to trick or treat while it is still light outside.

Some homeowners associations or apartment buildings may set times for events, but neighborhood trick-or-treating generally can go with the traditional Halloween hours: from afternoon through around 8:30 p.m.

Authorities have the following tips for trick or treaters:

1. Children should only visit homes that have their porch lights on.
2. Inspect your children's candy before they eat it, especially for those with food allergies (some people use teal pumpkins to distribute allergy-free treats).
3. Make sure children know their phone number and address — and to provide this information to a police officer in an emergency.
4. Plan and discuss the trick-or-treat route you will take.
5. Establish a time for children to return home.
6. Teach children to travel in familiar areas, stop only at well-lit houses and never enter a stranger's home.
7. Stay on sidewalks and avoid walking in streets, if possible. Cross streets only at the corner and never cross between parked vehicles or mid-block.
8. When trick-or-treating, use battery-powered lights, keep your devices charged and pick a place to meet if you get lost.

Authorities also urge drivers to stay under the speed limit in residential areas, in case trick-or-treaters may dart out in front of cars.

Abington Halloween Sex Offender Safety Map 2017

With trick-or-treating season coming up, you may want to be aware of where sexual offenders or predators live in your neighborhood.

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