Keep the screams for Halloween

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin D. Kim
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  It's time for a Halloween loaded with fun and games, plentiful with lore that sends chills through the veins. Halloween can be full of thrills and chills, but even well-intentioned entertainment can go awry without proper safety precautions.

The Centers for Disease Control has tips to ensure a SAFE HALLOWEEN.

Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible.
Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.

Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don't run from house to house.
Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult.
Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

Be vigilant of kids dressed as creeps roaming the streets looking for sweet treats because while the thrills and chills are make-believe, safety is paramount to keep it that way.

Adults should also take precautions to ensure personal safety--have a designated driver, and if one cannot be acquired, contact the Airmen Against Drunk Driving. While being a great wingman goes without question on-duty, it is just as important to be a great wingman off-duty.

For more information, go to http://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween for more Halloween safety tips.

Contact Airmen Against Drunk Driving at 850-884-8844