Base recommends safety tips for Halloween activities

  • Published
  • By 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Using adequate safety precautions and common sense can help make the most of the Halloween season.

Trick-or-treating on Tyndall will be Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m.

"Halloween is an exciting time of year for children and adults," said Tech. Sgt. Scott Brown, 325th Security Forces Squadron police services NCO in charge. "Pedestrian safety should be high on everyone's list of precautions."

Parents and adults should:
· Supervise children under age 12.
· Look for Goblin Patrol personnel wearing Air Force uniforms with orange reflective vests.
· Keep cell phones with them at all times.
· Inspect all candy before eating it.
· Ensure the safety of pedestrian trick-or-treaters.
· Drive slowly.
· Watch for children in the street and on medians.
· Exit driveways and allies carefully.
· Have children get out of cars on the curb side, not on the traffic side.
· Choose a designated driver before going out. Take a cab, or call Airman Against Drunk Driving at 867-0220.
· Immediately report, as soon as it's safe to do so, impaired drivers to law enforcement agencies.
· Always buckle up - it's your best defense against an impaired driver.

Children should:
· Go only to well-lit houses, remain on porches and never enter a house.
· Travel in small groups and be accompanied by an adult.
· Know their phone number and carry coins for emergency telephone calls.
· Have their names and addresses attached to their costumes.
· Use costume knives and swords that are flexible, not rigid or sharp.
When walking in neighborhoods, trick or treaters should:
· Use flashlights, stay on sidewalks, and avoid crossing yards.
· Cross streets at the corner, use crosswalks (where they exist), and do not cross between parked cars. Remember to look left, right and left again before crossing the street.
· Wear clothing that is bright, reflective and flame retardant.
· Consider using face paint instead of masks. Masks can obstruct a child's vision.
· Avoid wearing hats or masks that can cover eyes.
· Avoid wearing long, baggy or loose costumes or oversized shoes to prevent tripping.

Fire prevention:
· Purchase only costumes, wigs and props labeled flame-resistant or flame-retardant.
· When creating a costume, choose material that won't easily ignite if it comes in contact with heat or flame.
· Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations far away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs and heaters.
· Use extreme caution when decorating with candles, and supervise children at all times when candles are lit.
· When lighting candles inside jack-o'-lanterns, use long, fireplace style matches. Place lit pumpkins well away from all combustible items. Pumpkins can also be illuminated with small, inexpensive flashlights.
· Use light-weight flashlights as alternatives to candles or torch lights when decorating walkways and yards. They are safer for trick-or-treaters, whose costumes may brush against the lighting.
· Instruct children to stay away from open flames or other heat sources. Be sure children know how to stop, drop, and roll in the event their clothing catches fire.
· Instruct children attending parties at others' homes to locate exits and plan how they would get out in an emergency.
· Keep exits clear of decorations, ensuring nothing blocks escape routes.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Fire Prevention Element at 283-2909 or Security Forces at 283-2254.

(Courtesy of 325th Security Forces Squadron and Tyndall Fire and Emergency Services.)