Every Halloween, the topic of safety comes up.

Police and politicians ask residents to be wary of the food they receive and the homes of registered sex offenders.

Sex offenders’ rights groups, in turn, remind folks that vehicular homicide is the real threat on Halloween — federal data find childhood pedestrian deaths are four times higher on the holiday. Organizations such as AAA point out the same, suggesting people should wear reflective gear and pay attention.

This year a new concern — remnant downed power lines — is joining the fray after a powerful storm whipped through the Northeast Sunday into Monday.

Many towns are proceeding with festivities as usual. But others are postponing or strongly urging against going trick-or-treating tonight. Below is a roundup from our region that we’ll be updating as the day goes on.

Groton City

City of Groton Police Chief Michael Spellman said police are “advising parents to realize that we just had a fairly significant weather event, and there may be some brush in the area.” But there are no live wires down.

He said there will be extra patrols on, and that police are doing everything they can to make sure kids have a good night out.

Spellman said the only area in which he’d exercise caution is Litton Avenue, where crews are still actively cleaning up storm debris.

East Lyme

East Lyme First Selectman Mark Nickerson said parents should be extra cautious and extra vigilant, as there are branches in front yards and tripping hazards. The town is advising trick-or-treaters to stay away from certain areas in town where there are downed trees and wires. While most of the town has power, people should stay away from about 200 homes that are still without power.

Nickerson said the town would still like people to have fun, but to stay close to home and be cautious of problem areas. A list of areas to avoid are posted on East Lyme Public Safety’s Facebook page, and parents should check for updates before going out.

Some events in East Lyme were already canceled due to the weather, such as a Trick or Trunk last Wednesday at the Smith Harris House and a Halloween parade on Sunday in downtown Niantic.

Ledyard

A Tuesday Eversource assessment revealed the damage this week’s storm wrought in Ledyard is equal to what Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy did to the town in 2011 and 2012, respectively, according to Mayor Fred Allyn III.

Allyn on Monday postponed town-sanctioned trick-or-treating until Friday and on Tuesday urged residents to wait until then or visit other area Halloween events.

“Do NOT trick or treat tonight,” he wrote in an afternoon Facebook post. “The progress is slow today and I am not at all comfortable that it will be safe tonight.”

More than 3,500 Ledyard residents remained without power at 2:15 p.m.

Mystic

Olde Mistick Village's Halloween event is on as scheduled. From 4 to 6 p.m., families can head from shop to shop at 27 Coogan Blvd. to get treats and see costumed characters.

The Old Mystic Fire Department additionally is inviting the public to head to the station at 21 North Stonington Road for a parade set to begin at 6:30 p.m. A party will follow immediately afterward. Prizes are available for the best costume in each age category.

New London

As of 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, Plant  and Viet Streets were closed to through traffic from vehicles and only partially open for pedestrian traffic due to wires and trees down. New London police were assigning additional personnel to those streets. Officials are encouraging parents to closley monitor their children in and around these areas.

Norwich

Norwich’s trick-or-treating is proceeding as planned. Police are reminding pedestrians to wear reflective clothing, walk around in groups, use crosswalks and sidewalks and inspect the candy they receive. Police additionally asked motorists to drive slowly and use extra caution.

Old Lyme

School was in session Tuesday, power is restored and life is mostly back to normal after the storm in Old Lyme’s village center, so Halloween festivities will be going on as planned, said Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau Director Mary Seidner. The Youth Services Bureau will host a Halloween party from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and a costume parade will leave the Fire House on Lyme Street at 6:30 p.m.

A trick-or-treating event will also be held from 3 to 6 p.m. in the “haunted” BookCellar at the Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library.

Old Lyme First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder said she asked the Public Works Department to clear any branches and debris on Lyme Street.

She advised children who are going trick-or-treating — especially in areas outside Lyme Street — to use the utmost caution and be careful as there may be debris around, and to bring flashlights and be accompanied by adults. Neighbors should make sure their lights are on, so children can see where they are going.

Lyme First Selectman Steven Mattson said there are no planned activities in Lyme, as most of Lyme and Old Lyme use Lyme Street in Old Lyme as the area for Halloween festivities.

Preston

First Selectman Robert Congdon said there has been steady progress in restoring power, including to the Route 164 area and several local streets. Whereas the town had about 1,500 outages Tuesday morning, by the early afternoon that number had been nearly halved.

Congdon put out a call to residents on the town’s emergency notification system recommending against trick-or-treating Tuesday evening but “if you must, please use caution,” he said.

The Preston Plains Middle School will be open noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday for residents to take showers, fill water jugs they bring in and to charge electrical devices. Town officials will assess whether to open the school again Wednesday for those services, Congdon said.

Stonington

In Stonington where power lines are down, eight roads are closed and many residents are without power, First Selectman Rob Simmons said Tuesday afternoon he is leaving the decision to trick or treat up to parents.

"Parents are usually the best judges when it comes to their children. We are not in the business of telling parents what to do with their kids," he said.

Still Simmons questioned the wisdom of going out in the dark, driving around town and walking in unfamiliar areas where power lines could be down.