Bolingbrook Announces Trick-Or-Treating Hours Amid Pandemic

BOLINGBROOK, IL — With the ongoing pandemic, Halloween in Bolingbrook will look different this year. With that in mind, the village announced safety guidelines for the day.

This year, trick-or-treating hours will be from 3-7 p.m. on Oct. 31.

Safety Guidelines:

• Turn on your porch light if you want to be visited by trick-or-treaters.
• Have one person hand out candy and wear gloves, if possible.
• Trick-or-treaters should only visit houses/apartments of people they know.
• Children should use sidewalks where available and walk, not run, between houses.
• Use caution when crossing streets and only cross at intersections when clear of traffic.
• Costumes should be light and bright, so they are clearly visible to motorists and it is suggested that trick-or-treaters carry a flashlight.
• Parents should inspect candy and goodies before allowing children to eat.
• Motorists should be vigilant and extra alert during trick-or-treat hours.
• Know which friend(s) your child is traveling with if not accompanied by an adult.
• The Bolingbrook Fire Department advises using battery operated lights (not candles) to illuminate Jack-O’lanterns to avoid any contact with flammable materials if the pumpkin gets knocked over.
• The Bolingbrook Police and Fire departments will have additional units on the streets during the posted hours.
• Homes that do not wish to participate in trick-or-treating should keep their porch lights turned off. They can also print out the flyer prepared by the village and paste it on their windows to let others know. The flyer can be found on the village website.

"We recognize everyone will make their own health and safety decisions that is best for their children and their home. Please be respectful of your neighbors decisions," the Village of Bolingbrook website states.

According to CDC, the following are the higher risk activities that should be avoided during Halloween to help prevent the spread of the virus:

• Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door.
• Having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots.
• Attending crowded costume parties held indoors.
• Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming.
• Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household.
• Traveling to a rural fall festival that is not in your community if you live in an area with community spread of COVID-19.

For more from CDC, visit here.

Trick-or-treating is just one way to celebrate Halloween. Patch has also compiled a list of the best area pumpkin patches for this year.