“This statistic should scare you—the National Safety Council tells us that children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “It is so important that families take extra precautions to ‘be seen on Halloween.’ We hope that all Montgomery County families have a fun and safe Halloween this year.”
The following tips can help keep trick or treaters safe:
- Drivers should slow down and be alert! Kids are excited on Halloween and may dart into the street. Reduce your speed and turn on headlights early in the day to spot kids from further away.
- Drivers and Trick or treaters should put electronic devices down and keep heads up and use caution on our streets and sidewalks.
- Trick or treaters should only cross the street at corners or crosswalks. Always look left, right, and left again when crossing, and keep looking as you cross. Walk, don’t run, across the street.
- Trick or treaters should make themselves more easily seen by carrying glow sticks or flashlights, use reflective tape or stickers on costumes and bags, and wear light colors.
- Review the County’s COVID-19 health guidance as it relates to Halloween.
The MCDOT Safe Routes to School program will be participating at several family friendly events, giving out safety prizes and promoting pedestrian safety. The program will be participating in events at:
- Friday, Oct. 29: Burnt Mills Elementary
- Friday, Oct. 29: Boo Bash at Westfield Wheaton
- Saturday, Oct. 30: HalloWheaton at Marian Fryer Town Plaza
- Sunday, Oct 31: Olney Farmer’s Market