Tips on keeping Halloween a safe celebration

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Frank John Casciotta
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Security Forces and Safety representatives at Vance Air Force Base, Okla., offer the following safety tips and outline some preventative measures to ensure a safe and happy Halloween festivities.

Statistically, Halloween is the deadliest holiday of the year, second only to New Year's Eve, said Staff Sgt. Nicholas Gallo, with the 71st Security Forces Squadron. The "Pumpkin Patrol" is one of Vance's tools to help provide a safe environment for trick-or-treaters on base. It consists of volunteers who are be assigned sectors of the base where they will help ensure safety and security.

"Our presence helps deter mishaps and accidents," said Gallo.

The Ground Safety office will provide Pumpkin Patrol volunteers with glow-in-the-dark bracelets to hand out to children and parents to make them more visible while trick-or-treating.

While trick-or-treating on base is relatively safe, there are still some safety tips to take into consideration, especially for those who plan to go off base.

"Stay in well lit areas and avoid taking short-cuts," said Gallo. "It's unlikely that you're the only one who knows about them. These spots are sometimes used for kidnappings, so it's best to avoid them and use situational awareness."

It is best to park a vehicle on a side street and walk throughout an area rather than having children go back and forth between vehicles and houses. This will help decrease the congestion in the streets and create a safer environment, said Craig Wetherington, Vance's ground safety manager.

People planning on taking dogs with them should take care to ensure they are well mannered, on a short leash and under control at all times. Fast-moving children dressed in costumes could startle the dog and potentially cause a dangerous situation, said Wetherington.

Flashlights are also a good piece of safety equipment for trick-or-treaters and their parents. Flashlights should be turned on to let running children and moving cars know where people are traveling on foot.

Parents should inspect candy or goodies children receive while going house to house. Any unwrapped candies should be thrown out, said Gallo.

"Participants should wear light or reflective clothing. Wearing camouflaged might look 'cool' but it makes children nearly invisible as they dart between parked cars," said Wetherington.

Young adults planning on celebrating Halloween with costume parties and other similar festivities should have a safe and secure location. It is unsafe to attend a gathering with strangers, especially strangers who are wearing masks, said Gallo.

For more information, contact the ground safety office at 213-7793.