NORFOLK, Va. — Hampton Roads cities are beginning to release their Halloween trick-or-treat hours for children.
Hampton
Trick-or-treat hours for children under 12 is from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Police encourage everyone to stay safe. Adults can join in the fun by attending one of several Halloween-related events, including the downtown block party on Saturday, Oct. 26.
James City County:
Trick-or-treat hours for children 12 and under is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Officials recommend the following tips during Halloween night:
- Costumes should be easy to walk in and short enough to avoid tripping. They should be made out of non-flammable material and easy to see in the dark. Reflective tape sewn onto the costume works well.
- Makeup should be worn instead of a mask. Makeup helps trick-or-treaters see and breathe easily. If masks are worn, they should be taken off before crossing a street.
- Trick-or-treaters should plan their route ahead of time, picking streets that are in familiar neighborhoods and well lit.
- Young children should never trick-or-treat without an adult or older sibling. Older children who trick-or-treat without an adult should do so in a group with the route and return time approved by the caretaker. A flashlight or glow stick should be carried to light the way and to be more visible to cars. Only go to homes with the porch light on.
- Trick-or-treaters should cross only at corners, never between parked cars or in the middle of the block. When possible, they should stay on the sidewalk. If there isn’t a sidewalk, they should stay as far left of the roadway as possible and walk facing traffic. When approaching a house, they should watch for candles in Jack-O-Lanterns or other decorations that may catch clothes on fire.
- Trick-or-treaters should never go into the home of a stranger, even if they are invited in.
- Candy should not be eaten until after it has been checked out by an adult. Treats not in their original packaging should be thrown away. Any suspicious candy should be reported to the Police Department as soon as possible.
Keep tracking this list as we update it with more cities' trick-or-treat hours.
Newport News:
- If trick or treating in a neighborhood, only visit homes that have on an outdoor light. The houses who typically have on a light are your neighbors’ way of saying they are participating. Typically if a house has a light on, that’s their way of saying they welcome trick-or-treaters.
- Do not let children walk alone. Try gathering a group for Halloween activities. Attach an emergency contact number to the child or costume for First Responders to use in case they are separated from the group or adults.
- Motorists need to watch for children walking on roadways, medians, and curbs and enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
- After collecting candy, do not eat any until it has been thoroughly inspected for any open or suspicious pieces, which should be thrown away.
Virginia Beach:
Trick-or-Treat begins at dusk and ends at 8 p.m.
If you are passing out treats, please turn your porch light on so children will know they are welcome. If you are not passing out treats, please turn your porch light off from 6 to 8 p.m.
Trick-or-Treaters:
- Join in the fun and accompany young children. If you cannot accompany them, have them go with a group of other children. NEVER let them go alone.
- Wear light-colored clothing that is labeled flame-resistant or flame-retardant and is short enough to prevent tripping. Add reflectors, glow sticks or glow-in-the-dark safety stickers for higher visibility.
- Make sure your children can see clearly through face masks. Consider using face paint or makeup instead of a mask.
- Carry a lightweight flashlight along with a fully charged cell phone (keep your eyes on your little one while trick-or treating, not on your phone).
- Watch out for traffic and only cross at corners. Be careful not to cross between parked cars.
- Do not assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters; just because one car stops does not mean others will.
- Insist children use sidewalks or, if sidewalks aren't available, walk along the side of the street facing traffic.
- Have children wait until they get home to eat their goodies so you can first examine all their treats.
- Accept only wrapped or packaged candy.
- Most importantly, instruct your child to never go into the home of a stranger, or get into a stranger's car.
Hosts Passing Out Candy:
- An adult should stay home to welcome trick-or-treaters.
- Pets can get a little excited over all the activity, so keep your pets under control and away from the front door.
- Take extra care to eliminate tripping hazards on your driveway/walkway/ porch. Clear the walkways of tools, toys, and other items.
- Use electric lights or luminary bags to light front walkways.
- Give out only wrapped or packaged candy.
- Use a battery-operated candle or glow-stick in jack-o-lanterns. If you use a real candle, use extreme caution. Make sure children are watched at all times when candles are lit. Be sure to place lit pumpkins well away from anything that can burn and far enough out of the way of trick-or-treaters, doorsteps and walkways.
Remember, "If you see something, say something." To report any suspicious activity, dial 9-1-1, or if you need to obtain general information on city information and activities, simply dial 3-1-1.
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