With Halloween approaching, communities throughout Greene County have announced their trick-or-treating hours, while the Linton Police Department is reminding families to take precautions to keep children safe during the holiday.

Trick-or-treating will take place Friday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 31, in Linton, while Jasonville, Bloomfield, and Worthington have scheduled activities for Halloween night.

Trick-or-Treating Hours

Linton

Friday, Oct. 30: 5 to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 31: 5 to 8:30 p.m.

Jasonville

Saturday, Oct. 31: 6 to 9 p.m.
The Jasonville Police Department lobby will be open for trick-or-treaters. Families are encouraged to stop by.

Bloomfield

Saturday, Oct. 31: 6 to 9 p.m.

Worthington

Saturday, Oct. 31: 6 to 8 p.m.

Linton Police Offer Halloween Safety Tips

The Linton Police Department will conduct additional patrols during designated trick-or-treating hours Oct. 30 and 31.

Police encourage families to consider trick-or-treating at the homes of friends and relatives as an additional safety precaution.

Parents and guardians are reminded to accompany younger children while trick-or-treating and ensure everyone carries a flashlight with fresh batteries.

Older children who are permitted to trick-or-treat without an adult should have an approved route and a designated time to return home.

Police also recommend that children remain in groups and communicate their whereabouts with parents or guardians.

Pedestrian Safety

Because pedestrian injuries are a significant concern during Halloween activities, police urge families to take extra precautions when walking through neighborhoods.

Safety recommendations include:

Wear reflective tape on costumes and trick-or-treat bags to improve visibility.
Carry a cellphone for communication.
Stay on well-lit streets and use sidewalks whenever possible.
When sidewalks are unavailable, walk along the edge of the roadway facing traffic.
Cross streets at designated crosswalks and avoid crossing between parked vehicles.
Never assume motorists can see pedestrians or will stop.
Avoid cutting through yards or alleys.
Visit only homes with porch lights illuminated, and never enter a home or vehicle to receive candy.

Police also remind motorists to remain alert for children who may unexpectedly enter roadways.

Suspicious or unlawful activity should be reported to law enforcement immediately.

Tips for Residents Distributing Candy

Residents planning to welcome trick-or-treaters are encouraged to turn on their porch lights to indicate they are participating.

Homeowners should also inspect their sidewalks, porches and yards for potential hazards, including garden hoses, toys, bicycles and decorations that could cause children to trip.

Outdoor lighting should be checked, and burned-out bulbs should be replaced.

Pets should be secured to prevent them from jumping on visitors, biting children or escaping when doors are opened.

Police also suggest considering nonfood treats, such as coloring books, pencils or other small items, for children who may have food allergies.

Candy and Food Safety

The Linton Police Department encourages parents to provide children with a meal before trick-or-treating to help discourage excessive candy consumption.

Once children return home, a responsible adult should inspect all treats before they are eaten.

Although candy tampering is rare, parents should discard anything that appears spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious.

Families are also encouraged to be mindful of food allergies and teach children not to share food or accept homemade treats from unfamiliar individuals.

Police recommend spreading out candy consumption over the days and weeks following Halloween rather than eating large amounts at once.

The department reminds residents that Halloween should be an enjoyable experience for everyone and encourages families, motorists and homeowners to work together to help keep local neighborhoods safe.