This year, Trick-or-Treat will be held 6-8 p.m. Oct. 29. Most of us are familiar with the practice of holding Trick-or-Treat on a weekday if Halloween (Oct. 31) falls on a weekend, but why?
The City of Dublin follows the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s recommended formula: if Halloween falls on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, then Trick-or-Treat will be held the prior Thursday. If Halloween falls on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, then Trick-or-Treat will be held on that day. This helps avoid conflicts with football games, parties and other events that occur over the weekend.
In the event of inclement weather, Trick-or-Treat generally remains on the specified date, and parents are encouraged to exercise judgment in allowing children to participate. Parents can stay in the know by following the City of Dublin on social media.
For safety tips and more, visit www.DublinOhioUSA.gov.
Halloween Safety Tips for Kids:
- Trick-or-treat in a group or with an adult.
- Walk, don’t run, and stay on sidewalks.
- Look both ways before crossing streets, and only cross the street at corners.
- Wear reflective clothing.
- Be sure your costume is not too long. You don’t want to trip or fall.
- Shoes should fit comfortably, even if they don’t match your costume.
- Carry only flexible swords, knives and props.
- Consider using face paint instead of a mask. If you wear a mask, be sure you can see out of it clearly.
- Be sure your parents always know where you are going to Trick-or-Treat, and stay in familiar neighborhoods.
- Do not ride a bicycle. Your costume might get tangled in the wheels.
- Keep away from candles and open fires.
- Accept treats only in doorways. Never go into a house.
- Visit homes that have the porch light on.
- Carry a flashlight.
- Never take candy from strangers.
- Be cautious of animals.
- Let parents check your treats before you eat them.
- Never eat unwrapped candy, opened candy or fruit given to you on Halloween.
Halloween Safety Tips for Parents:
- Make sure your child eats dinner before setting out.
- Children should always carry spare change or a cell phone to call home, if necessary.
- When buying costumes, look for flame-retardant material.
Halloween Safety Tips for Homeowners:
- Keep your yard well-lit if you plan to pass out treats. Turn your lights off if you won’t be home to discourage children from approaching your property.
- Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip young children.
- Battery-powered jack-o’-lantern candles are preferable to using a real flame.
- If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from trick-or-treaters.
- Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won’t be blown into a flaming candle.
- Healthful food alternatives for Trick-or-Treaters include packages of crackers with cheese or peanut butter, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and microwave popcorn.
- For non-food treats, try pencils, stickers, coins or plastic toys.
Halloween Safety Tips for Drivers:
- Drive slowly, with caution, all evening.
- Adult Halloween partygoers should have designated drivers.
