LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- Halloween is a night of candy, costumes and spooky escapades, however; there are several precautions adults and children can take to ensure a safe and happy night of haunting.
The 1st Security Forces Squadron recommends the following safety guidelines for anyone participating in the upcoming Halloween celebration:
- Children should wear light-colored clothing that is short enough to prevent tripping. Parents may also want to add reflective tape to the costume.
- Ensure children can see out of their masks or use face makeup instead of masks.
- Avoid using hard plastic or wood props, such as daggers or swords. Instead, you can substitute foam rubber for flexibility, in case the child falls.
- Parents should purchase Halloween costumes (including wigs, capes and props) that feature a flame-resistant or flame-retardant label.
- Use sidewalks when available and begin trick-or-treating before sunset.
- Each child should carry a flashlight or glow stick.
- Don't take shortcuts through yards to get to the next house. Children could get hurt by unknown obstacles.
- Don't allow children to eat or sample any candy before you check it. Throw away all unwrapped candy, popcorn and caramel apples unless you know who gave them to your child.
- Parents should accompany young children or groups of children when trick-or-treating. Walk with friends and stay together.
- Look both ways before crossing the street. Have someone carry a flashlight in front of the group and walk on the shoulder of the road whenever possible.
- Stay within your own neighborhood or areas with which you are familiar and visit only homes with lit porch lights.
- Keep pets inside and secured. A pet might not recognize your children or the children coming to the door and the pet may become frightened or aggressive.
- Keep children away from candles and flames -- especially when in costume. Advise children to stay away from jack-o'-lanterns with candles or open flames. Ensure children know how to stop, drop and roll in case their clothes catch fire.
- Keep jack-o'-lanterns away from landings or doorways where costumes could brush against the candle flame. Consider using glow sticks or battery-powered lights for jack-o'-lanterns.
- Parents should remove lawn decorations along walkways and provide a well-lit driveway for visitors.
USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)