Halloween 2018: Trick or Treating Hours in Prince William County

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, 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 to inspect their booty?

Well, Prince William County Police say they consider appropriate trick-or-treating times from dusk to 8 p.m., with a loosely enforced cutoff of 9 p.m. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts. Also, like us on Facebook, and if you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

So there you go. In other words, go with the traditional Halloween hours: dusk to between 8 and 9 p.m.

Also, Prince William County Fire and Rescue has some tips for a "Safe Halloween" with something of an alphabet lesson for the trick or treating folks. If you plan on trick-or- treating, the Center for Disease Control summarizes Halloween safety as the following:

Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.
Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.
Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation.
Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
Only walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know the cook well.
Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Otherwise, stay outside.
Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

Image via Patch editor Skip Wood