IT’S HALLOWEEN WEEKEND AND THE CITY OF MT. CARMEL HAS SET TRICK OR TREAT HOURS FOR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FROM 4:30 UNTIL 8PM. AS ALWAYS, IF YOU’D LIKE TRICK OR TREATERS TO VISIT, LEAVE YOUR PORCH LIGHT ON.

MEANWHILE, THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE IS REMINDING THE PUBLIC TO KEEP SAFETY IN MIND WHEN IT COMES TO FALL DECORATIONS AND HALLOWEEN COSTUMES. ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION, DECORATIONS WERE THE FIRST THING TO IGNITE IN ROUGHLY 800 HOME FIRES REPORTED LAST YEAR. STATE FIRE MARSHAL SPOKESPERSON J-C FULTZ SAYS SOME FALL DECORATIONS POSE AN ADDED RISK, SUCH AS DRIED FLOWERS AND CORN STALKS, AS WELL AS CARVED PUMPKINS..

FULTZ SAYS PARENTS SHOULD TAKE PRECAUTION WITH CHILDREN'S COSTUMES AS WELL, MAKING SURE THEY CAN SEE PROPERLY IF THEY'RE WEARING A MASK AND DON'T HAVE ANY TRAILING FABRIC THAT COULD CATCH FIRE. HE SAYS IT'S ALSO A GOOD IDEA FOR KIDS TO CARRY A FLASHLIGHT OR WEAR A GLOW STICK SO THEY ARE VISIBILE TO DRIVERS.

A REMINDER THAT THE CITY WILL BE CLOSING CHERRY STREET TO THRU TRAFFIC BETWEEN 3RD AND 9TH STREETS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE LITTLE GHOSTS AND GOBLINS.