Throughout the city, residents will have the opportunity to take part in Halloween celebrations for all ages. Enjoy the festivities, but remember to always take the time to be safe.
The Winchester Police Department and the Winchester Fire and Rescue Department will once again host the Public Safety Trunk-or-Treat on Monday, October 30 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Shawnee Fire Department, located at 2110 Valor Drive. Bring your children to check out the fire truck and police cruiser displays, have their faces painted, meet McGruff the Crime Dog, win prizes, and stock up on candy.
Old Town Winchester will host its free Spooktacular event on October 28 and kick off at 11:00 a.m. with a pet costume parade. Trick-or-treating on the Loudoun Street Mall will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
City-wide trick-or-treating will be Tuesday, October 31, from dusk until 8:00 p.m. Residents are reminded that children will likely be crossing streets and entering roadways, so please drive accordingly.
However you celebrate Halloween, it is important to always follow the guidelines below.
Costumes should be:
- Light colored or have reflective tape.
- Flame-retardant so little ones aren’t in danger near candlelit jack-o-lanterns.
- Appropriate length to prevent trips or falls.
Costumes should not:
- Include masks; instead use makeup. Masks can obstruct a child’s vision.
- Include fake or real weapons.
Trick-or-treaters should:
- Be accompanied by an adult.
- Carry a glow stick or flashlight.
- Stay within a designated neighborhood that parents are familiar with.
- Never enter a stranger’s house or car.
- Watch for traffic.
- Look both ways, and only cross at corners or crosswalks, not between parked cars.
- Only accept wrapped or packaged candy.
- Go only to houses with exterior lights turned on.
- Stay away from open flames and know how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire.
Residents welcoming trick-or-treaters should:
- Turn on your porch light, and remember to turn it off (recommended by 8:00 p.m.)
- Move lit jack-o-lanterns off the porch as they could pose a safety risk to children.
- Remove any objects from the yard that may present a hazard.
- Use flashlights as alternatives to candles or torch lights when decorating walkways and yards. They are much safer for trick-or-treaters, whose costumes may brush against the lighting.
- Keep pets from chasing trick-or-treaters.
When decorating, remember to:
- Keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes.
- Use long, fireplace-style matches or a utility lighter when lighting candles inside jack-o-lanterns.
- Place lit pumpkins away from anything that can burn and out of the way of trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, walkways and yards.
- Keep highly flammable decorations like dried flowers, cornstalks, and crepe paper away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs and heaters.
When it comes to candy:
- Throw away candy that is unwrapped or appears to have been opened.
- Look for punctures or pinholes in the wrappers
- Homemade items or baked goods should be discarded, unless you personally know who gave them to you - “when in doubt, throw it out.”
- Chocolate in any amount is deadly to dogs. Be sure to keep all candy out of pets’ reach as candy wrappers will also obstruct animals’ digestive tracts.
For our over-21 residents wishing to celebrate Halloween, please have a designated driver or call a cab/Uber/Lyft and do not attempt to drive after consuming alcohol.
Please contact the Winchester Police Department to report any suspicious activity. Have a safe and fun Halloween!