Have a fun and safe Halloween!

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kylsee Wisseman
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  With the night of orange and black festivities drawing closer, tricksters - young and old - are reminded to keep safety in mind.

The major dangers are not from witches or spirits, but rather from falls and pedestrian accidents. Children ages 5-14 are more likely to be killed while walking due to ill-fitting costumes causing them to fall and being hit by cars on Halloween evening compared with other evenings this year. Many Halloween related injuries can be prevented if parents closely supervise school-aged children during trick-or-treat activities.

Safety officials urge families to practice safe trick-or-treating Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m. in base housing.

"As safety, it is our job to arm the men, women and children of Dyess Air Force Base with the tools to eliminate, or reduce, Halloween dangers, whether on or off base," said Lt. Col. Edward Brennan, 7th Bomb Wing chief of safety. "Part of that includes heightening people's awareness of these dangers with the hopes that every member of the Air Force family will go on to enjoy their evening without any visits to the emergency room."

Parents can help prevent children from getting injured at Halloween by following these safety tips from the 7th Bomb Wing Safety team:

· Pedestrian injuries are the most common, so parents should teach their children when and how to call the local emergency number. Stay in groups and have someone in the group carry a cell phone for quick communication.

· Plan and discuss the trick-or-treat route. Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas along the established route. Establish a return time and teach your children to only stop at well-lit houses and never to enter a stranger's home.

· Children should stay on lighted streets and use sidewalks. If there is no sidewalk, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing on-coming traffic. Children should never use alleys, only cross streets as a group and never cross between cars.

· Parents should also pin a slip of paper with the child's name, address and phone number inside a pocket or costume in case the child gets separated from the group. Children should also use flashlights, glow sticks or reflective tape for greater visibility.

· Motorists need to remember many children will be out and often times they disregard the necessary pedestrian safety precautions. Some trick-or-treaters may cross in the middle of the block or run out into the streets unexpectedly. Drive slowly and with caution in neighborhoods and pay attention.

· An adult should closely examine ALL treats for spoiled or tampered items.

· If you are handing out treats at home, be sure to remove anything a child could trip over, never invite children into your home, and restrain pets so they can't jump on or bite trick-or-treaters.

"Regardless of your age, no one wants a fun-filled evening to end in tragedy," said Brennan. "Halloween is ranked third among the most dangerous holidays, so with that in mind, the Dyess Safety Office truly hopes everyone will enjoy a safe and happy Halloween!"