Ensure little trick-or-treaters are safe during this holiday with these tips Published Oct. 21, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Brian Stives 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- Ghosts, goblins and many scary dressed-up creatures both big and small soon make their arrival at front doorsteps all around the base this Halloween. Sometimes, all of the excitement and anticipation of this special event can cause many trick-or-treaters to become forgetful and careless. This Halloween, the 366th Security Forces Squadron and base volunteers continue to conduct Operation Pumpkin Patrol from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 to ensure the safety of young trick-or-treaters. Although security forces and base volunteers will take to the streets to keep an eye on children, children often disregard many safety rules. The 366th SFS and 366th Fighter Wing Safety Office offered a few Halloween safety tips Costume safety "Loose costumes can be hazardous to children for several reasons," said Master Sgt. John Kelley, wing safety superintendent. "Outfits with baggy sleeves or billowing skirts are more likely to come in contact with exposed flames, like candles in jack-o-lanterns and catch fire. Any costume that is too long and loose may also be a tripping hazard." If children go trick-or-treating after dark, make sure their costumes are made not only with light-colored material, but also with carefully situated retroreflective tape on their clothing, costume accessories and treat sacks. "More children are hit by cars on Halloween than any other single night of the year," said Sergeant Kelley. "Parents can make children more visible by decorating costumes and sacks with retroreflective tape and stickers, and using costumes that are light or bright enough to make children more visible at night. Older children out after dark should carry flashlights or glow sticks to increase their visibility." Best face forward Although face paint or cosmetics applied directly to the face are considered safer than a loose-fitting mask, that can obstruct a child's vision, parents should carefully read labels and look for products that are "laboratory tested," "nontoxic," "hypoallergenic" and specifically indicated for use on a child's face. When using Halloween makeup, use common sense. Read the product manufacturing directions carefully, with special attention paid to whether the product is safe to use near your child's eyes. If your little ghost or goblin insists a mask is the only thing "cool" enough to go with thier outfit, then make sure the eye, nose, and mouth openings are large enough. Out and about According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than half of motor vehicle-related deaths of school-age children are caused by pedestrian injuries. Children ages 7 and younger always require adult supervision when crossing the street. Halloween is the perfect time to instill and reinforce proper pedestrian safety rules with your children. "[This] is a great opportunity to teach your young children to walk, don't run, never to dart out into a street, or cross between parked cars," said Staff Sgt. Christopher Sawhill, 366th SFS operations. "Teach your child to cross streets only at intersections and crosswalks, looking left, right, and left again before and while crossing the street." "Make sure children walk only on sidewalks that are well-lit and away from the roadway as much as possible," said Sergeant Sawhill. "When sidewalks are not available, you and your children should walk at the far edge of a roadway, facing traffic, not against it." Other safety tips Parents and chaperones can help prevent children from getting injured by following these safety tips from the AAP, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Safety Council. Motorists should: · Watch for children running between parked cars and walking on roadways, medians and curbs · Enter and exit driveways and alleys cautiously · Slow down while driving through residential areas · Watch for children in dark clothing Parents should: · Turn on outside lights if they wish to hand out candy out to trick-or-treaters · Make sure an adult supervises children under age 12 · Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters will follow · Instruct children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route · Teach children to stop only at well-lit houses or apartments · Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian and traffic safety rules · Pin a slip of paper with the child's name, address and phone number onto their costume · Check candy for tampering before allowing children to eat When walking in neighborhoods, children should: · Use flashlights, stay on sidewalks and avoid cutting through yards · Cross streets at the corner, use crosswalks (where they exist) and never cross between parked cars · Stop at intersections and stay in a group while crossing the street · Wear bright, reflective, and flame retardant clothing · Consider using face paint instead of masks so children's vision is not obstructed