LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Halloween is a night of candy, costumes and spooky escapades; however, some precautions do need to be observed.
The 1st Security Forces Squadron recommends the following safety guidelines for anyone participating in the upcoming Halloween celebration:
-Children should wear light-colored clothing that is short enough to prevent tripping. Parents may want to add reflective tape to all sides of the costume.
-Ensure children can see out of their face masks or use face make-up instead of masks.
-Avoid using hard plastic or wood props, such as daggers or swords. Instead, you can substitute foam rubber for flexibility, in case the child falls.
-Parents should purchase Halloween costumes (including wigs, capes and props) that feature a flame-resistant or flame-retardant label.
-Use sidewalks when available and begin trick-or-treating before sunset.
-Each child should carry a flashlight or glow stick.
-Don't take shortcuts through yards to get to the next house. Your children could get hurt by unknown obstacles.
-Don't allow children to eat or sample any candy before you check it. Throw away all unwrapped candy, popcorn and caramel apples unless you know who gave them to your child.
-Parents should accompany young children or groups of children when trick-or-treating. Walk with friends and stay together.
-Look both ways before crossing the street. Carry a flashlight in front of the group and walk on the shoulder of the road whenever possible.
-Stay within your own neighborhood or areas with which you are familiar and visit only houses with lit porch lights.
-Keep pets inside and secured. A pet might not recognize your children, or the children coming to the door, and may become frightened or aggressive.
-Keep children away from candles and flames, especially when in costume. Advise children to stay away from jack-o-lanterns with candles or open flames. Ensure children know how to stop, drop and roll in case their clothes catch fire.
-Keep jack-o-lanterns away from landings or doorways where costumes could brush against the candle flame. Consider using glow sticks or battery powered lights for jack-o-lanterns.
-Parents should remove lawn decorations along walkways and provide a well-lit driveway for visitors.
Langley and Landings at Langley at Bethel Manor housing communities have scheduled trick-or-treat hours from 6 to 9 p.m., Oct. 31.