UPDATE: When is Trick-or-Treating in My Area?

As if the damage and stress caused by Hurricane Sandy wasn't enough for our area this week, many parents are being made frantic all over again by changing Halloween plans. The kids are ready for their candy, but is it safe for them to go out?

Several local municipalities have issued recommendations that residents postpone their trick-or-treating to give crews time to clear streets and make the area as safe as possible. Other municipalities have decided that's not their call.

In fact, Halloween trick-or-treating isn't managed or regulated by any local, state or federal body (though New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie reportedly jokingly tweeted that, "If conditions are not safe on Wednesday for Trick or Treating, I will sign an Executive Order rescheduling.") The act of giving candy to children dressed up for Halloween is a neighborly pursuit. While Patch urges residents to consider their children's safety and heed their local governments warnings, residents are free to trick-or-treat whenever they wish. Or as one Facebook commentor put it on Tuesday:

"Because we live in the United States, you are allowed to go outside wearing a costume and to knock on your neighbors' doors to ask for candy. You are allowed to do this tomorrow. You are allowed to do this on January 9, April 21 and July 13. Tomorrow is merely the day when people are least likely to wonder what is wrong with you."

In any case, here's a list of what local municipalities have recommended for their residents in regards to Halloween trick-or-treating tonight:

• Norristown – Postpone trick-or-treating until Saturday, Nov. 3, from 5-8 p.m. (P.U.P.S. will be handing out candy at Selma Mansion on Saturday from 5-7 p.m.)
• West Norriton – Postpone trick-or-treating until Saturday, Nov. 3, from 5-8 p.m.
• East Norriton – Postpone trick-or-treating until Saturday, Nov. 3.
• King of Prussia – Postpone trick-or-treating until Friday, Nov. 2.
• Bridgeport – No postponement. Trick-or-treating tonight.
• Plymouth – No postponement. Trick-or-treating tonight.
• Conshohocken – No postponement. Trick-or-treating tonight.
• Lower Providence  – Postpone trick-or-treating until Friday, Nov. 2.
• Whitpain  – No postponement. Trick-or-treating tonight. The township is also inviting parents to bring their children in costume to Wentz Run Park on Saturday, Nov. 3, at 2 p.m. for a Halloween parade and free candy.