MOULTRIE, Ga. — It is that time of the year once more, where cut pumpkins show up, the leaves start to change colors and the days begin to get shorter. That means Halloween is approaching. As children and parents prepare for the Halloween night, the Colquitt County Sheriff’s Department is planning for it as well.

There are approximately 9,600 kids in the Colquitt County area, sheriff’s Lt. David Kent said. It’s the sheriff’s department’s job to ensure that they are safe while they are trick-or-treating, but Kent knows that they can’t have eyes and ears everywhere.

“ We will be patrolling,” said Kent. “We always on Halloween have a few extra people out looking, especially in the most popular areas, but at the end of the day we can’t be everywhere so the parents of Colquitt County will have to keep an eye on their children.”

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. In 2017, October ranked No. 2 in motor vehicle deaths by month.

It will be up to parents to be there when law enforcement can’t to ensure the safety of children — both their own and others.

Children should never trick or treat without an adult. They should carry a flashlight, and parents should make sure the children’s costumes have reflectors so they can be seen crossing streets. Agree upon a time the children should return home. Always inspect your children’s candy.

But, Kent said, one of officers’ biggest concerns is distracted drivers.

“Drivers, put the phones down,” he said. “You never know when a small child could be right behind you or in front you. If you are on your phone just put down the phones and be aware of your surroundings.”

Halloween is only a week away so make sure your children are prepared by contacting the Colquitt County Sheriff Department for safety concerns or by visiting the National Safety Council website at www.nsc.org.