Quest for Zero: Tips to stay safe on the quest for candy

Published Oct. 30, 2015
By Steve Serrette
72nd Air Base Wing Safety Office

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Halloween is a cherished tradition for some, but the excitement of the night can cause children to easily forget to be careful. There is no real "trick" to making Halloween a real treat for the entire family.

The major dangers are not from so-called "witches" or "spirits," but rather from falls and pedestrian/car encounters. Both children and adults need to keep safety first and foremost in mind on this annual night of make-believe.

The National Safety Council urges motorists to be especially alert on Halloween. The following pointers should be kept in mind:

Motorists:
· Watch for children darting out from in between parked cars.
· Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
· Enter and exit driveways and alleys very carefully.
· At twilight and during darker hours, be especially alert for children in dark clothing.

Parents::
· Before children start out on their "trick-or-treating" ventures, ensure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing, especially for children under age 12.
· Plan and discuss the route the trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names of older children's companions.
· Instruct children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.
· Establish a return time.
· Teach children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a stranger's home and checked by parents.
· Tell children to never eat any treat until they return home.
· Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.
· Pin a slip of paper with the child's name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group.
Costume design:
· Only fire-retardant materials should be used for costumes.
· Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath.
· Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard. Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween.
· If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light-colored materials. Strips of retro-reflective tape should be used to make children visible.
Face design:
· Masks can obstruct a child's vision. Use facial make-up instead.
· When buying special Halloween make-up, use packages containing ingredients that are labeled "Made with U.S. Approved Color Additives," "Laboratory Tested," "Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics," or "Non-Toxic." Follow the manufacturer's instruction for application.
· If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings along with large eyeholes.

Accessories:
· Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.
· Bags or sacks carried by children should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective tape if children are allowed out after dark.
· Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly.
On the way, children should:
· Understand and follow all parental instructions.
· Be instructed not to enter homes or apartments without adult supervision.
· Walk, not run, from house to house. Respect other peoples' private property. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards.
· Walk on sidewalks, not in the street.
· Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.
Treats:
· To ensure a safe trick-or-treat outing, parents are urged to give their children an early meal before going out
· Again, parents should insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten
· Parents should wash fruit and slice the fruit into small pieces
· When in doubt - throw it out.

Everyone must remain fixated on this potentially deadly night, always exercise "situational awareness" regardless of your surroundings, and be motivated to make the Quest for Zero an astounding success!

Halloween happenings
The following events take place Oct. 31.
Fall Festival Trunk-or-Treat at the Tinker Chapel, 5 to 7 p.m. Free event.

Trick-or-Treat in base housing area from 6 to 8 p.m. Participants are encouraged to wear reflective clothing and carry flashlights or glow sticks. Non-housing residents wishing to trick-or-treat in housing should be aware that the housing area becomes very congested during trick-or-treat hours. If driving through housing, use extreme caution. Carpooling is encouraged. Parking in open/vacant areas adjacent to housing is encouraged. Please keep Tinker clean by controlling candy wrapper litter.
Security Forces will be out in the community. Should a situation arise that requires police attention, such as a lost child, call the law enforcement desk at 734-3737.

Halloween Carnival at the Youth Center, 6 to 9 p.m. Parking is available at Tinker Elementary. The Patriot Gate will be open from 5 to 10 p.m.

HalloBowl at Tinker Lanes, 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. $2 games with $2 shoes for bowlers in costume, cosmic lights and music. For more information, call 734-3484.