Halloween porch lights and clocks fall back

Halloween arrives Saturday, October 31. The Village of Lombard recommends trick-or-treating between 3 and 7 p.m. Families are encouraged to enjoy the holiday safely and be respectful of neighbors who choose not to participate, the village said.

Residents handing out candy may turn on their porch lights to show they are participating. Those who prefer not to may leave the lights off or display the village’s downloadable “No Trick-or-Treating” sign near the front door. Printed copies of the sign are not available from the village. Trick-or-treaters should skip homes with porch lights off or the sign displayed.

The village lists safety reminders: stay with your group and visit only well-lit homes; use sidewalks and cross at intersections or crosswalks, looking both ways; never enter a home or vehicle for a treat; choose costumes easy for drivers to see and make sure masks do not obstruct vision; check candy before eating and discard unsealed or damaged items, considering choking hazards and allergies. Drivers should slow down, stay alert, and watch for children near roadways, especially as daylight fades. Report dangerous activity to the Lombard Police Department; call 9-1-1 for emergencies.

The Lombard Police Department is also reminding motorists to drive sober, buckle up and follow traffic laws this Halloween as children and families take to neighborhood streets. From Friday, October 23, through the morning of Monday, November 2, officers will conduct increased traffic enforcement to identify and stop impaired drivers. Those celebrating are encouraged to plan ahead for a safe, sober ride home.

“We want everyone to enjoy Halloween and get home safely,” said Police Lieutenant Manny Camuy in the department’s announcement. “With more children and families out in our neighborhoods, drivers need to slow down, pay attention and watch for pedestrians. And if your plans involve alcohol or cannabis, make sure you have a sober ride home.”

Driving under the influence of alcohol, cannabis or other drugs is illegal, the department notes. Although cannabis is legal for adults in Illinois, driving while impaired by it remains prohibited. Drivers and passengers are required by law to wear seat belts. The department lists tips: plan a safe way home before a party; designate a sober driver, use public transportation or a ride-sharing service, or ask a sober friend or family member for a ride; walking while impaired can also be dangerous, so arrange for a sober friend if needed; always wear a seat belt; report impaired driving as soon as it is safe; and if someone who is impaired is about to drive, take their keys and help them find a safe way home.

The next morning brings the seasonal clock change. As residents prepare to “fall back” and set their clocks back one hour for the end of daylight saving time on Sunday, November 1, the Lombard Fire Department reminds everyone to also check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Replacing batteries and testing alarms when you change your clocks is an easy way to help keep your home and family safe throughout the year, the department said.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly three out of five home fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms. The most common causes of alarm failure include missing or disconnected batteries, dead batteries, and disabled hardwired systems. The association recommends installing smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement; testing alarms monthly and replacing units more than 10 years old; interconnecting smoke alarms so when one sounds, they all do; and replacing any that fail to respond properly during testing.

The Illinois Smoke Detector Act, amended in 2022, requires most single- and multi-family homes that use battery-operated alarms to install models with 10-year sealed batteries. These eliminate the need for annual battery replacement. Exceptions include homes built after 1988 with hard-wired smoke alarms and homes equipped with wireless integrated alarms that use radio frequency communication, Wi-Fi, or other smart home technologies. For questions or home safety concerns, contact the Lombard Fire Prevention Bureau at (630) 620-5750.

After the weekend, free leaf collection begins Monday, November 2, and runs through December 11. Residents may place an unlimited number of biodegradable paper bags filled with leaves at the curb on their regular Waste Management collection day, with no yard waste stickers required for bags containing leaves only, the village said.