JANESVILLE — The City of Janesville has announced Halloween trick-or-treating will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 31.
If a resident wishes to be visited by trick-or-treaters, they should leave on a front porch light. Trick-or-treaters should only go to well-lit homes with a light on. Homeowners who don’t wish to participate may leave porch lights off as a signal. Trick-or-treaters are asked to respect their wishes and move along to the next home.
The Janesville Police Department is taking the opportunity to remind citizens to have a safe and fun Halloween by ensuring their children participate in festivities safely. Below are tips to keep Janesville’s little ghouls and goblins safe while trick-or-treating:
- Have children wear a light-colored costume that is visible in the dark.
- Add strips of reflective tape to costumes and use a flashlight to enhance visibility.
- Make sure costumes won’t trip children or make it hard for them to see.
- Encourage face paint instead of masks to help with visibility.
- Have parents or an older family member escort youth as they trick-or-treat.
- Encourage trick-or-treating in a group of friends.
- Trick-or-treat in your residential neighborhood on only well-lit streets.
- Walk on sidewalks whenever possible. Be extra careful crossing the street at night and only cross at street corners and crosswalks.
- Wait until you get home to eat treats. Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Do not eat anything unwrapped. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
- Notify the Janesville Police Department about anything suspicious.
As with each year, motorists must be especially vigilant on Halloween night, decreasing speeds and increasing awareness of trick-or-treating children and families.
For questions, contact Janesville Police Department Sergeant Benjamin Thompson at (608) 755-3133.