Oak Brook has set official hours for Halloween trick-or-treating for 3:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.
“The Village of Oak Brook believes that parents are the best judges of their children’s participation in Halloween activities,” village officials said. “It is the village’s hope that residents have the opportunity to celebrate Halloween in a way that they are comfortable with, while continuing to exercise the safety protocols.”
Village officials are recommending the following safety protocols:
Walk Safely
* Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking while crossing.
* Put electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
* Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
* Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
* Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
* Join kids under age 12 for trick-or-treating. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, tell them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
Costumes for a Safe Halloween
* Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
* Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
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* Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
* When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
Driving safely on Halloween.
* Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
* Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
* Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
* Get rid of any distractions, such as a phone, in the car, so drivers can concentrate on the road and their surroundings.
* Turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
For village residents who do not wish to participate in trick-or-treating, the village has a sign that can be downloaded at www.oak-brook.org/DocumentCenter/View/10149/No-Trick-or-Treaters, printed and placed on front door to notify trick-or-treaters.
Any questions about Halloween can be answered by calling the village, 630-368-5026.
In a Halloween-related activity, the Oak Brook Park District is hosting The Great Pumpkin Roll, starting at 4 p.m. Nov. 2 at the sled hill in Central Park West, 1500 Forest Gate Road.
There will be judges to see whose pumpkin had the longest roll, shortest roll and messiest roll in each heat.
Registration can be completed online at www.obparks.org/special-events/great-pumpkin-roll.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.