No need for a real scare on Halloween

  • Published
  • By Bill Morrow
  • 501st Combat Support Wing Safety Office
RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom --  BOO! Okay, that wasn't scary but you haven't seem my costume. Ah, October 31, Halloween, the day dentists begin planning on purchasing that new and expensive car. For a good many of us, child and adult alike, we can say Halloween is our favorite holiday of the year. But to enjoy the ghouls, ghosts and assortment or urban legends roaming the neighborhood you need a plan. The plan should be a bit more insightful than how big a bag you'll need. Planning doesn't take away the fun; it'll enhance the experience for the children and let the adults play a bit as well.

Before Halloween

Phasers on stun! Black is cool, and it always has been. When was the last time you saw a witch in pink chiffon taffeta? But wearing black doesn't have to make you invisible; a necklace with a glow tube, flashlights, pulsating light badges, battery powered light up horns for that little devil or similar eye catching sources of light all work to enhance visibility. From one end to the other there is a range of characters from the imagination with every make and mode of dress. There are costumes of truly reflective fabric, to those that are light colored and as readily visible at night. The stores want your business and safety is a big consideration in the design and sale ability of their products.

Speaking of safety, lots of folks use real candles in their pumpkins, which can be a problem. With the little ones crowding the door ways and front porch to claim their loot, dangling bits of synthetic fabric isn't very mindful of where it might be dangling. But wait, mom or dad has bought a costume made of flame resistant materials. Faster than a credit check, she or he knew what to look for in a costume.

Here's a thought, there are 300 four-year-old ghosts, pick the one that is yours? See the problem, you don't want to take the wrong child home, or do you? For small children consider attaching some form of identification to their costume. Make sure that some type of identification is carried at all times. If you or your children are going to be walking during trick-or-treating ensure that everyone wears comfortable shoes. Remember that flashlight mentioned earlier, if you're out till the witching hour spare fresh batteries are a good idea. Big point, some one has to be responsible and that shouldn't mean the four-year old. Keeping track of traffic, children, sweets and all that other stuff is an adult activity.

Preparing your home for Halloween is a bit more involved than putting the pumpkin out. Use flashing lights for jack-o-lanterns instead of candles. Keep fire safety in mind when decorating. The garden hose, water sprinkler and possibly some lawn ornaments might have to find another home for the evening. Gravity works more times than not, and it won't take much for a small child in a awkward costume to find their way to the ground when their feet get tangled up in that yard snake of a garden hose. Do not overload electrical outlets when decorating.

Before nightfall on Halloween

Feed them first, they'll be less tempted to dig into the bag of treats before you can check it out. Where are you going and how long are you going to be gone? Plan a route, visit the neighbors, visit the schoolmates, this shouldn't be a Lewis and Clark expedition. Go over the ground rules, review with your children the route and acceptable behaviors while out trick or treating. But most importantly ensure that they are aware of the procedures to follow in case of an emergency.

When Trick or Treating

Try to work in groups with other parents, the more eyes watching the better. I've rarely seen an adult move as fast as a four-year old, besides now you'll have some one to talk to and won't look so lonely at the end of the drive way. Trick-or treat homes with lights on, these people want you to come to the door. Traffic rules always apply; remain on the sidewalk, walk facing traffic, cross at corners, use streets that are well lit when possible.

Although finding treats that have been tampered with is rare, children should understand that they should not eat anything until you get home and divide up the spoils of the evening. One for you one for me works when going through the candy and sorting out what you don't want them to have. Oh, and that issue of tampered candy, law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately.

Well you've just done one believe it or not, all six steps are up there. Hazards have been identified, risks have been evaluated, there are lots of control measures, control decisions have been made and implemented and finally with it all done and over you can review the night proceeds. I mean the proceedings.