Montgomery County Urges Halloween Safety and Flu Shots as Maryland Health Connection Enrollment Opens Sunday

Montgomery County health officials urged residents to put safety and health first as Halloween weekend arrived, in a weekly media briefing on Wednesday, October 28, according to published reporting on the briefing. Health Officer Dr. Kisha Davis reminded residents that Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31, and anticipated large crowds and many children trick-or-treating.

Davis encouraged parents to consider face paint over masks that may obstruct vision, and for children to carry flashlights, glow sticks or reflective tape, the reporting said. She noted that one in 13 children has a food allergy, advised offering non-food treats such as stickers, glow sticks and small toys, and said a teal pumpkin signals an allergy-safe stop. Parents were cautioned to inspect all treats before consumption, discarding anything unsealed or homemade, and Davis specifically warned against including cannabis edibles in trick-or-treat bags.

Davis also recommended COVID and flu shots, noting an early flu season, with vaccinations offering protection through the winter holidays. Separately, Department of Health and Human Services Director Dr. James Bridgers announced that open enrollment for 2027 coverage on Maryland Health Connection begins Sunday, November 1 — the county's own enrollment page lists the period as November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027 — with county support through community partners, recreation centers and libraries and a helpline at 240-777-1815.