Illinois Police Departments Offer Halloween Safety Tips

Police departments in Illinois are offering tips to keep children safe on Halloween. The following ideas come from the several police departments in suburban Chicago.

—Make sure children carry flashlights and are accompanied by adults. Young children should end their trick-or-treating once it starts to get dark.

—Decorate costumes with reflective tape. Stay on one side of the street at a time. Don't cross the street in the middle of the block.

—Use makeup instead of masks, which can interfere with vision.

—Remind children never to enter a house while trick-or-treating. Stay on well-lighted streets.

—Trick-or-treat with friends and stay in a group.

The village of Skokie has set trick-or-treat hours from 3 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31. Wheaton has set trick-or-treat hours from 3 to 7 p.m.