Recommended Trick-Or-Treating Hours Released By Village

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Acknowledging not everyone may feel comfortable with trick-or-treating this Halloween due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Village of Arlington Heights is making recommendations and releasing guidelines for the holiday.

The Centers for Disease Control has released Halloween guidelines stating that traditional door-to-door trick0or-treating is considered a high-risk activity for spreading viruses. The decision whether to participate is up to each household, the Village said in a press release/ .

The annual Downtown Trick or Treat event is canceled this year as is the Arlington Heights Park District's Trunk or Treat event held in the Public Works garage.

Recommended trick-or-treating hours in the Village will be from 3 – 7 p.m. on Oct. 31. Those who choose to participate are strongly encouraged to follow the CDC’s recommended safety guidelines listed below to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Households participating in trick-or-treating are asked to turn on their porch/outdoor lights during the recommended hours, the release says. Households not interested in participating should consider turning off their porch light or minimize exterior lighting so trick-or-treaters understand to not visit your home.

The Village is asking everyone to be a good neighbor and to be respectful of others and their decisions to participate/not participate in trick-or-treating this year.

Safety Guidelines

• Those going door-to-door are encouraged to wear face coverings at all times. Per the CDC, a Halloween costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask or face covering. Costume masks can be used if it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose. Consider wearing a Halloween-themed cloth mask.
• Individuals passing out candy are encouraged to wear face coverings and gloves and are asked to pass out candy individually instead of inviting children to take a treat from a communal container.

• Families participating in Trick-or-Treating activities are encouraged to maintain a safe distance from other Trick-or-Treating groups and to wait to approach a house until the previous group has left.

Consider Contactless Trick-or-Treating
As recommended by the CDC, families may consider participating in one-way Trick or Treating, in which individually wrapped goodie/treat bags are lined up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance (such as at the end of a driveway or at the edge of a yard).

If you prepare goodie/treat bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before preparing the bags.

Keep the following general safety tips in mind for Trick or Treating:

• Parents or an older sibling should accompany children and make sure they don't enter anyone's home without your permission.
• Map out a Trick-or-Treat route for your children to follow.
• Make sure kids cross only at corners and look in all directions first. Caution them against crossing the street between parked cars, where drivers may not be able to see them.
• Remind them to use sidewalks or walk facing traffic so approaching cars can be seen.
• Fasten reflective tape to costumes and/or bags to help drivers see them.
• Warn children not to eat any goodies until parents have had a chance to inspect them. When in doubt, throw it out.

For additional information, check out the Halloween Health & Safety Tips from the CDC and Halloween Festivities Guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).