Treat everyone to safety this Halloween Published Oct. 15, 2009 By 75th Security Forces Squadron 75th SFS HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Everyone needs to take extra care on Halloween -- Oct. 31 -- when excited children in costumes are out in force. Motorists need to be extra careful during trick or treat hours, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., and parents should review safety rules with their children. The 75th Security Forces Squadron members will X-ray and examine candy for all Hill trick or treaters as part of the annual Pumpkin Patrol on Halloween night. Parents or guardians can bring their child's candy to the Youth Center, Building 883 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Additional safety tips, provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Safety Council, include: Motorists Slow down. Watch for children walking on roads, medians and curbs. Enter and exit driveways carefully. Be especially alert for children darting out from between parked vehicles and from behind bushes and shrubs. They're excited and not paying attention. At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing. Never drink and drive, on Halloween or any other night. If you're drinking alcohol, designate a nondrinking driver. Parents Adults should accompany children at all times and supervise their "trick or treat" activities. Teach children to "stop, look and listen" before they cross the street. Use a flashlight and wear retro-reflective strips or patches on clothing or costumes to be more visible to motorists. Be certain that masks don't obstruct vision or hearing and ensure that costumes don't impede walking or driving ability. Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names of older children's companions. Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route. Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never enter a stranger's home. Establish a return time if you have older siblings you will not be accompanying. Give children an early meal before going out. Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten. It is highly recommended not to eat fruit that is given out and "when in doubt throw it out." Pin a slip of paper with the child's name; address and phone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group. Pedestrians Before crossing a street, stop at the curb or edge of the road and look left, right and left again to be sure no cars are coming. Continue to check for traffic while on the street. Walk; never run from house to house or when crossing the road. Cross the street only at intersections and crosswalks. When crossing at an intersection with a traffic light, be sure to watch for turning cars. Obey all pedestrian signals. Walk on sidewalks whenever possible. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the street facing traffic. Costumes Only fire retardant materials should be used for costumes. Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath. Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard. Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween. If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made of light colored materials. Stripes of reflective tape should be used to make children visible. Since masks can obstruct a child's vision, facial make-up is recommended instead. When buying special Halloween makeup, check for packages containing ingredients that are labeled "Made with U.S. approved color additives," "Labatory tested," "Meets federal standards for cosmetics" or "Non-toxic." Follow the manufacturer's instruction for application. If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes. Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Don't allow children to carry sharp objects. Bags or sacks carried by youngsters should be light colored or trimmed with reflective tape if children are allowed out after dark. Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly. For more information, contact the 75th Security Forces Police Services Section, Staff Sgt. Ashley Cavallaro at (801) 777-7133 or Senior Airman Tchaikovsky Crosley at (801) 777-1868. Halloween costume 5k and Kids' 1 mile Join the Warrior Health and Fitness Center in the Halloween Costume 5k and 1 mile Run on Oct. 31 at 9 a.m. Prizes will be given to the best kids' costumes. For more information, call (801) 777-2762 75th FSS Haunting on the Hill This family event will be held at the Hubbard Golf Course, Oct. 30, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Activities will include a Halloween costume contest with prizes, marshmallow roasting, crafts, games, Halloween storytelling, cake walk with prizes, a pumpkin decorating and carving contest, and the Trunk or Treat, featuring decorated car trunks with prizes for the best decorated trunk. A DJ will provide music and hot dogs, chips and apple cider will be available for purchase. For more information, call (801) 777-2419. Haunted Hangar, painted pumpkins From 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Oct. 23 and 24, the Hill Aerospace Museum will offer tours of the museum in the dark and will be giving bags of candy to visitors. Visitors are encouraged to dress up in Halloween costumes. The museum is also hosting a painted pumpkin contest throughout the month, where people of all ages can submit a painted pumpkin to be judged by museum visitors until Oct. 31. Winners will be announced and prizes will be given the evening of Oct. 31. For more information, call the Hill Aerospace Museum (801) 777-6818. 649th MUNS Ammo Haunted House The 649th Munitions Squadron will be hosting fundraising events beginning Friday, Oct. 16, and thereafter, Oct. 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31. From 7 p.m. until midnight every night of operation, Building 1607 will transform into a Haunted House. Admission is $5 per person. For more information, contact Tech. Sgt. Alan E. Reigelman at (801) 777-6574. Adult Halloween Party at Club Hill Club Hill will host an adults-only Halloween Party on Oct. 31, starting at 9 p.m. A DJ will provide music and a costume contest will feature cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. For more information, call Club Hill at (801) 777-3841. Halloween Lock-in at the Youth Center From 9 p.m. on Oct. 30 until 8 a.m. on Oct. 31, young adults will be locked in the Youth Center to participate in fun all-night activities. Cost is $25 per person. Sign up at the Youth Center. For more information, call the Youth Center at (801) 777-2419.