Oak Lawn Sets Trick-or-Treat Hours

Halloween falls on Saturday this year, which means that Oak Lawn kids will get a few extra hours to go trick or treating.

Trick-or-Treat hours are set for noon to 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 31, which should make all superheroes and Disney princesses very happy.

Parents are advised to accompany young children on their rounds through the neighborhood.

Here are a few tips to help make Halloween safe for kids and maybe even avoid a trip to the hospital emergency room:

1. Plan a route - stick to routes that children are familiar with.
2. Wear comfy shoes -- remember, you’re walking and maybe even running. Girls especially should avoid wearing heels with their costumes.
3. Stay well-lit -- bring a flashlight to keep your trick-or-treaters’ paths well lit when out after dusk. Also apply reflective tape to costumes so drivers can see them at night.
4. Make sure costumes are short -- avoid tripping hazards by shortening pants and skirts on costumes. You don’t want to spend Halloween at the dentist with an unhappy goblin who tripped and chipped a tooth.
5. Avoid masks -- Masks can make it hard to see and breathe. If possible, skip the mask altogether and use non-toxic makeup to complete the costume instead.
6. Avoid weapons as costume accessories -- Experts say to avoid weapons as costume accessories, but if your child insists on carrying a weapon or magic wand, make sure it’s rubber or plastic. Choose a prop that won’t poke another kid’s eye out.
7. Don’t eat any candy until you bring it home -- Parents should check their children’s haul at the end of the night. Toss any candy that is not wrapped or in its proper wrapper.

Before you head out with your kids on Halloween, check out Oak Lawn-Hometown’s 2015 registered sex offenders map.