Security Forces stresses Halloween, trick-or-treat safety

  • Published
  • By Police Services
  • 95th Security Forces Squadron
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Halloween is spooky enough with ghoulish jack-o-lanterns glowing from front porches and little ghosts, witches and other creatures walking the streets. The last thing anybody wants is an accident to occur, or a real-life goblin to come out in the local neighborhood. 

By taking these few precautions, you can help prevent accidents and dangerous situations from happening. 

Don't play tricks on trick-or-treaters:
  • Turn on exterior lights if planning on giving out candy.
  • Put jack-o-lanterns out of reach of children and consider using a battery-powered light to give a pumpkin its spooky glow.
  • Make sure nothing in a yard can trip trick-or-treaters (low clotheslines, yard tools and other hard-to-see objects).
On the streets:
  • Drive slowly, and watch for children crossing.
  • Guardians should offer to drive their children if houses in the community are far apart.
  • Ask Neighborhood Watch to be on the lookout for suspicious people and activity.
  • Pick a place to meet if children become separated from the group.
  • Teach children which adults are safe to ask for help if they get lost, such as police officers and adults in charge of the party or festival.
Dress to see and be seen:
  • Try make-up instead of masks. Masks can make it hard for kids to see.
  • Make sure costumes fit properly and there's nothing children could trip on.
  • Put reflective tape on dark costumes.
  • Ensure all children carry a glow stick or a flashlight.
Keep the night spook-free:
  • Before the big night, map out a safe trick-or-treating route with children. Avoid routes that cross busy intersections or houses that children might be unfamiliar with.
  • Make sure kids go out in groups and are accompanied by an adult.
  • Set a time when children must be home, no matter how many houses they've visited.
  • Encourage children to trick-or-treat before it's dark.
  • Tell children not to take shortcuts across lawns or through parks.
  • Remind children not to enter strangers' houses or get into a car with anyone without their parent's permission.
  • Go over traffic safety rules with children and ensure they know not to run into the road and to only cross at intersections.
  • Remember haunted houses and ghost stories can be scary for children. Talk to children afterward, and make sure they feel safe.
Back at home:
  • Check to make sure all candy is properly sealed.
  • Talk to children about how their night went. Ask if anything happened that scared them or made them worried.
Even though the biggest worries on Halloween are lurking strangers and poisoned candy, the biggest cause of injury to kids is traffic accidents. Drivers should look out for kids running or crossing the street. Parents should help children avoid busy roads and intersections. 

Halloween parties and harvest festivals can be a fun alternative or addition to trick-or treating, but people still need to take precautions so our celebration isn't too frightening.