For the fourth consecutive year, a study by finance website SmartAssetranked the City of Aurora one of the best cities in America for trick-or-treating.

Aurora ranked 4 out of the 258 largest cities in the nation.

To identify the Best Places to Trick-or-Treat in 2018, SmartAsset ranked the cities using such metrics as the percentage of children under the age of 15 years old, the number of single-family homes per square mile, special events, home affordability, crime rates and weather. 

"Residents in Aurora seem to take Halloween pretty seriously. Families can attend all sorts of events," said SmartAsset representatives. 

In addition to regular trick-or treating Halloween hours from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., families can also trick-or-treat on Halloween from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Aurora City Hall, 44 E. Downer Place, and at businesses in downtown Aurora on Saturday, October 27 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Aurorans agree with the repeated top ranking. 

"My kids and my niece and nephew always have a blast," said Aurora resident Dalila Sanchez -Bravo. "We love Halloween in Aurora. We have no reason at all to go to another city."

Illinois is the only state with multiple cities in the Top 10. Elgin and Joliet ranked 7^th and 9^th place respectively.

For more information about the study, visit https://smartasset.com/financial-advisor/best-places-to-trick-or-treat-in-2018.

TRICK-OR-TREATING IN AURORA

Official Trick-or-Treating hours in the City of Aurora are 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.  

The City of Aurora reminds residents to:

•  Accompany children and try to go earlier when it still is light outside.

• Make sure costumes, wigs and accessories are flame resistant

• Wear costumes that are bright or reflective so children can see and be seen. Putting reflective tape on costumes is another option

• Wear costumes, masks and shoes that are well-fitting to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls.

• Stay on sidewalks, look both ways before crossing streets and use established crosswalks wherever possible.

• Carry a flashlight

• Only visit homes with a front porch light on and children should only enter homes if they're with a trusted adult. Otherwise, they should stay outside

• Bring a cell phone while trick-or-treating in case of an emergency

• Only eat factory-wrapped candy and treats.