Guide of trick-or-treating times in the Illinois Valley

A list of community-wide trick-or-treating hours throughout the La Salle, Bureau, Putnam, Marshall and Livingston counties area

Friday, Oct. 29

Mendota: Downtown businesses 3 to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 30

Streator: 9 to noon (downtown businesses only)

Cornell: 4:30 p.m.

La Salle: 5 to 7 p.m. (Hometown Halloween begins 10:30; trick-or-treating 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

Peru: 5 to 7 p.m. (Halloween in the Park 2 to 4 p.m. Washington Park)

Sunday, Oct. 31

Amboy 4 to 6 p.m.

Compton: 6 to 8 p.m.

Earlville: 4 to 7 p.m.

Granville: 5 to 7 p.m.

Hennepin: 5 to 7 p.m.

Henry: 5 to 7 p.m.

Ladd: 5 to 7 p.m.

Leland: 5 to 7 p.m.

Leonore: 5 to 7 p.m.

Lostant: 5 to 7 p.m.

Magnolia: 5 to 7 p.m.

Mark: 5 to 7 p.m.

Marseilles: 5 to 7 p.m.

McNabb: 5 to 7 p.m.

Mendota: 5 to 7 p.m.

Morris: 4 to 6 p.m.

Newark: 4 to 7 p.m.

Oglesby: 5 to 7 p.m.

Ottawa: 6 to 8 p.m.

Paw Paw: 3 to 6 p.m.

Princeton: 5 to 8 p.m.

Ransom: 4 to 7 p.m.

Sandwich: 4 to 7 p.m.

Seatonville: 5 to 7 p.m.

Seneca: 5 to 7 p.m.

Sheridan: 4 to 7 p.m.

Somonauk: 4 to 7 p.m.

Spring Valley: 5 to 7 p.m.

Streator: 5 to 7 p.m.

Toluca: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Tonica: 5 to 7 p.m. (3 p.m. parade)

Utica: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Wenona: 4 to 7 p.m. (2 to 4 p.m. trunk or treat at St. Mary’s Church)

When trick-or-treating, state health department and poison control officials remind families of the following safety tips:

Stay in familiar, well-lit areas. Take small children out before dark. Accompany children with a flashlight, wear reflective clothing and/or put reflective tape on trick or treat bags if going out after dark. Look carefully before crossing neighborhood streets. After returning home, remove any makeup your child was wearing before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation. When choosing a costume, stay away from long-trailing fabric.

Parents should buy nontoxic face paint or makeup for a safe, creative alternative to masks. Other products may contain talc or hydrocarbons, which can be toxic. Do not use food coloring because the tint may be difficult to wash off.

Glow sticks can break and leak or children chew them open. In small amounts, the liquid is considered minimally toxic. The liquid can cause irritation or a rash after contact with the skin. It can cause irritation to the eyes. Call Illinois Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if for any eye exposures. Ingesting the liquid can cause mild nausea and burning. Symptoms should resolve with few sips of water to drink.

Dry ice is added to punch bowls for Halloween gatherings for a “bubbling cauldron effect.” Wear protective clothing, including appropriate gloves, when handling dry ice. Since dry ice can cause burns, do not place any directly in drinking cups. Do not use or transport dry ice in a poorly or unventilated area, as it produces carbon dioxide gas. A buildup of carbon dioxide in the air can cause serious effects such as headaches, dizziness, and vomiting. Store dry ice in an insulated container, not in the freezer.

State guidelines for COVID-19

Trick-or-treating outdoors in small groups is best, but if outdoors is not an option, there are steps residents can take to make indoor trick-or-treating safer, said the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Those handing out tricks or treats indoors should open doors and windows as much as possible to promote increased ventilation and wear a mask. It also is important for everyone handing out or receiving treats to wash their hands.

Alternatives to door-to-door trick-or-treating can include setting up tables in a parking lot or other safe outdoor area where individually wrapped treats can be set out or holding an outdoor costume parade for kids along with a parent/guardian.

• If your community has announced its trick-or-treating times and it is not on here, email newsroom@mywebtimes.com or ntnewsroom@shawmedia.com and we will update the article.