Help maintain safety during Halloween celebration

  • Published
  • By Joe B. Wiles
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  According to George H. Wagner Jr., the 71st Flying Training Wing Safety Manager, there have been no injuries or significant safety-related incidents on Halloween at Vance since he arrived in 1990. "This is a safe place for trick-or-treating," he said. 

Special Agent Chris Levendosky with Vance's Office of Special Investigations, said the same thing about the Enid area. "The Enid Police Department reports no recent incidents involving any significant threat on Halloween," he said. 

But both men stressed the important role parents play in maintaining that safety. Mr. Wagner recommends discarding any open or hand wrapped Halloween goodies. "Just throw them away, don't take a chance," he said. 

The 71st FTW Safety Office will be handing out free glow sticks to active duty military or Department of Defense civilians on Oct. 30 and 31, in Bldg. 455. The glow sticks are for family members so they can be seen Halloween night, said Mr. Wagner. For more information, call 213- 7233. 

According to the Pinnacle Hunt Housing Office, trick-or-treating hours in family housing will be from 6 to 8 p.m.

The 71st FTW Safety Office recommends the following to help make Halloween, Oct. 31, a safe and happy event. 

Prepare your home for Halloween by removing tripping hazards from the entry way; patrolling your neighbor to deter malicious mischief; reporting suspicious or criminal activity; using flash lights instead of candles in jack-o'-lanterns.

Drive with extreme caution Halloween night, avoid unnecessary vehicle travel and look before you back-up. 

Pet owners should not leave pets in the yard. Don't feed treats to pets. Chocolate is toxic to a lot of animals. Dressing up pets can be very hazardous for them. And keep pets away from the door. 

Children should not trick-or-treat alone. Their costumes should be bright and reflective and be non-flammable. They should cross streets at corners, never cross between parked cars. Don't accept rides from strangers and avoid walking through alley ways, parks or back yards. Never go inside a stranger's home. 

Parents and other adult guardians should accompany small children and carry a flash light and cell phone. Inspect all treats for both intentional and unintentional hazards. Discard all unwrapped or home-made treats. Feed children a good meal before they leave to discourage eating treats before they get home.