Halloween is a fun tradition that due to the excitement can cause children to forget to be careful. The major dangers are not from witches or spirits but rather from falls and pedestrian car crashes.

The Elburn Police Department is encouraging that all parents take into consideration the safety tips provided by the National Safety Council in an effort to make Halloween a safe event in Elburn and throughout Kane County.

• Click this link for a list of trick-or-treat times in communities throughout Kane County.
• Click this link for a list of addresses for Kane County sex offenders, so you can avoid those addresses when trick-or-treating.
  

Police ask that porch lights be left on for additional safety during those hours and ask that parents walk with their children when possible. The Elburn Police Department officers will be very visible in the residential areas during those hours and will also be carrying treats.

Here are some safety tips that parents should consider, wherever they happen to live in Kane County.

Motorists

The sad truth is that twice as many child pedestrians are killed on Halloween night than on any other night of the year.

The national Safety Council urges motorists to be especially alert on Halloween.

• Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.
• Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
• At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.

Reminders For Parents

Before children start out on their “trick or treat” rounds, parents should:

• Make sure that an adult or older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for children under 12.
• Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names of the older children’s companions.
• Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.
• Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and NEVER to enter a stranger’s home.
• Establish a return time.
• Tell your youngsters not to eat any treats until they return home.
• Review all appropriate trick- or treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.
• Pin a slip of paper with the child’s name; address and phone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group.

Treats

For further information about Halloween Safety and candy safety goes to www.CandyUSA.org. This website is for information only, should a case of suspected candy develop; parents should call the Elburn Police Department.

Law enforcement officials have direct access to a Halloween Candy Hotline for further assistance in investigations.

To ensure a safe trick-or-treat outing, parents are urged to:

• Give children an early meal before going out.
• Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten.
• Wash fruit and slice into small pieces.
• When in doubt, throw it out.

Costume Design

• Only fire-retardant materials should be used for costumes.
• Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath.
• Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard.
• (Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween)
• If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light colored materials. Strips of reflective tape should be used to make children visible.

Face Design

• Masks can obstruct a child’s vision. Use facial make-up instead.
• When buying special Halloween make-up, check for packages containing ingredients that are labeled “Made in the U.S. Approved Color Additives,” “Laboratory Tested,” “Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics,” or “Non-Toxic.” Follow Manufacturer’s instruction for application.
• If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes.

Accessories

• Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.
• Bags or sack carried by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective tape if children are allowed out after dark.
• Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly.

On The Way

Children should understand and follow these rules:

• Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision.
• Walk; do not run, from house to house. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards.
• Walk on sidewalks, not in the street.
• Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.

SOURCE: Elburn Police Department news release

Read More

Update: Complete List of 2019 Halloween Trick-Or-Treat Hours in Kane County, IL

Kane Sex Offenders List 2019: Addresses To Avoid When Trick-Or-Treating

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