Ready for Halloween? Here are 2024 trick-or-treat hours from around the metro-east
Halloween is coming up Thursday, Oct. 31, and Belleville, O’Fallon and several other metro-east municipalities offer designated trick-or-treating hours.
In addition to the candy-focused events, southwest Illinois is home to multiple farms offering fun fall activities such as apple-picking and pumpkin patches. The metro-east has seen a relatively warm autumn so far, and the forecast calls for a 90% chance of rain during the day Thursday with a high around 66 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Weather Service. Halloween night is expected to be mostly clear, with a low around 43 degrees.
Sunset times are creeping up as November approaches, and Belleville is expected to see a 6 p.m. sunset on Halloween night.
Here’s what to know about trick-or-treat hours in southwestern Illinois, including Belleville, Swansea and more, as well as some tips to make sure your child is prepared to safely participate.
Belleville
Belleville’s Halloween city ordinance allows trick-or-treating between 5 and 8:30 p.m. Oct. 31.
Only children in the eighth grade and younger are allowed to trick-or-treat under Belleville’s ordinance, though students with developmental disabilities who are accompanied by a parent, guardian or other responsible person are exempt from the restriction.
O’Fallon
O’Fallon trick-or-treaters can go door-to-door from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, according to an Oct. 21 press release.
Fairview Heights
The city of Fairview Heights does not have set trick-or-treat hours, but officials ask people to be considerate when deciding what time to head out.
Swansea
Swansea’s local ordinance allows children to trick-or-treat until 9 p.m. Halloween night.
Shiloh
Children in Shiloh can enjoy trick-or-treating between 6 and 9 p.m. Thursday.
“The Village of Shiloh would like to remind you to stay safe, watch for little ghouls and goblins crossing the streets, and have a frightfully fun evening!,” an Oct. 4 village Facebook post said.
Freeburg
The village of Freeburg observes trick-or-treating until 9 p.m. Oct. 31 for children younger than age 14.
Don’t miss these Halloween safety tips
O’Fallon city officials recommend trick-or-treaters follow these best practices for safety:
Only go to homes that have porch lights on.
Watch out for cars.
Use sidewalks whenever possible.
Don’t run into streets or dash out from between cars.
Cross streets at corners.
Go in small groups or with an adult rather than alone.
Bring a flashlight so you can be seen more easily.
Homeowners are asked to leave their porch lights on if they are welcoming trick-or-treaters and to turn them off if they are not participating. Officials also ask residents to make sure their sidewalks are clear of any trip hazards and secure their pets, if they have them.
Drivers are asked to move slowly and take extra precautions to look for children who may enter the street.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends parents check their children’s candy for any allergens or choking hazards, depending on the child’s age. While it is not impossible for a child to receive drug-laced candy, it’s not a common or widespread issue, rehabilitation center organization Pyramid Healthcare reports.
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