Trick-Or-Treat In Greater Alexandria: Hours, Safety Tips

MOUNT VERNON, VA—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?

In Fairfax County, there are no set hours for trick-or-treat, but it always falls on Oct. 31. Police recommend finishing by 8:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Some homeowners associations or apartment buildings may set times for events, but neighborhood trick-or-treating generally can go with the traditional Halloween hours: dusk to between 8 and 9.

If you plan on trick-or- treating, Fairfax County has the following tips:

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. Adults or older children should supervise those under age 12.
4. Make sure children know their phone number and address — and to provide this information to a police officer in an emergency.
5. Plan and discuss the trick-or-treat route you will take. If you're on Nextdoor, check the treat map to see which neighbors will be handing out candy.
6. Establish a time for children to return home.
7. Teach children to travel in familiar areas, stop only at well-lit houses and never enter a stranger's home.
8. 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.
9. 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.

Here are other Halloween resources:

Get Free Lyft Rides For Halloween In Greater Alexandria

While many people are excited to celebrate Halloween, don't risk your life or others when partying in the Alexandria area. The nonprofit organization Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) partnered with the ridesharing service Lyft to provide WRAP’s SoberRide service in the Washington-metropolitan area on Saturday, Oct. 28. Residents can use the popular and free safe ride service SoberRide from 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 to 4 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 29. This is a way to keep local roads safe from impaired drivers during a traditionally high-risk period.

Halloween In Alexandria: Ghost Tours, Haunted House, More

Alexandria residents hardly have to go out of town to enjoy some spooky fun during the week leading up to Halloween. From ghost tours to trick-or-treat at Mount Vernon and Edgar Allan Poe readings in the cemetery, there are many choices for both adults and children during the week leading up to Halloween.

Halloween 2017: A Look At The Forecast For Alexandria

We're hoping for clear skies as trick-or-treaters make their way around the neighborhood. Right now, it's not looking like the weather will rain on their parade (pun intended), at least on Oct. 31. The only major chance for rain could come Sunday, Oct. 29. But after the unusually warm weather has lingered into October, crisp fall weather will take over in time for Halloween.

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