Phoenixville Declares Official Trick Or Treating Hours Thursday

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Phoenixville will not push back Halloween due to the forecasted rain, as the borough has announced official trick or treating hours for Thursday, Oct. 31. Those hours are from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., rain or shine.

Phoenixville joins West Chester as one of the few local towns to formally declare Thursday as the trick or treating day. Though the borough has no official rules surrounding Halloween, the weather forecast left some residents questioning whether festivities would be pushed back.

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"We do encourage residents to assess all aspects, including the weather, which may impact their own, or their family’s safety when participating in this or any activity," an announcement from Mayor Pete Urscheler's office reads. "Each family should make a decision that is appropriate to their own child, while keeping, their child’s safety in the forefront of their decision making."

Phoenixville Police will also be patrolling the streets to ensure safety around the borough.

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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.