Halloween Trick-Or-Treating Tips For Moco Parents

ROCKVILLE, MD — There are no set trick-or-treating hours in Montgomery County, so each family, community or organization is setting the times they will allow kids to go door-to-door to ask for candy on the night of Halloween 2018. The Montgomery County Police Department asks that residents consult with their homeowner association or their city or town for the proper times, said a police spokeswoman.

Most families let their kids hit the streets from roughly 5 to 8 p.m. on Halloween, with parents of wee ones likely to be out earliest on Wednesday, Oct. 31.

The Annapolis Police Department has these tips for enjoying a safe Halloween:

Plan a route: Know the route your kids will be taking if you aren’t going with them. Let them know that they are to check in with you every hour, by phone or by stopping back at home. Make sure that they know not to deviate from the planned route so that you always know where they will be.

Your best bet is to make sure that an adult is going with them. If you can’t take them yourself, see if another parent or two can.

Streetwise: Be sure to show your children how to cross a street properly. They should always look both ways before crossing the street and should only cross at corners or crosswalks. Make sure that if you have more than one child, they know to take the hand of the younger child when they cross a street.

Sex offender addresses: Check the Maryland Sex Offender registry to search for sex offenders in your neighborhood.

Safe costumes: Help your young child pick out or make a costume that will be safe. Make sure it’s fireproof or treated with fire retardant. If your child is wearing a mask of any kind, make sure that the eye holes are large enough for good peripheral vision.

Make sure that if your child is carrying a prop that the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury. Make sure that costumes won’t get in the way when they are walking, which could cause them to trip.

Be aware: Know what other activities a child may be attending, such as parties, school or shopping mall functions. If they are going to be at a friend’s home, get the phone number and make sure that you’ve met the parents.

Time limit: Make sure you set a time your kids should be home. Make sure they know how important it is for them to be home on time or to call immediately if something happens and they are going to be delayed.

Stranger danger: Teach your kids about not getting into a stranger’s car, going into a stranger’s home or even talking to strangers.

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