Safely haunting Halloween Published Oct. 27, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Armando A. Schwier-Morales 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- As McConnell prepares for another Halloween, the safety office wants members to avoid things that "go bump in the night." To prevent common dangers associated with the holiday, McConnell's safety office provided safety recommendations as McConnell families prepare to trick-or-treat. McConnell's parents can help children avoid danger by carefully choosing costumes long before the candy bagging begins. Parents should look for costumes that are fire proof or treated with fire retardant, and ensure that costumes do not trip the kids as they walk. Costume props should also be soft and smooth, to help avoid injury. "Parents should help their children pick out or make a costume that will be safe, as well as scary," said Staff Sgt. Latrica Davis, 22nd Air Refueling Wing ground safety technician. After the costume has been picked, and the day has come, the safety office recommends several preparations for safe trick-or-treating. Set an end time and requiring their children to check in hourly. Obtain flashlights and fresh batteries for children and their escorts. Give children a meal prior to trick-or-treating, so they are not tempted to eat the treats prior to parental inspection. While they are getting their fill, parents can also inform their children about crossing the street properly, the difference between "tricks" and "vandalism," and how to avoid strangers. "Explain to them, as simply as you can, that some adults are bad and may want to hurt children," said Sergeant Davis. "Also that they should never go into a house that they don't know or get into a car or go anywhere with a stranger." Parents should also know their child's route if an adult is not going to be present. "In most cities it's not safe to let kids walk the streets by themselves," said Sergeant Davis. "Your best bet is to make sure that an adult is going with them." For young adults, parents should be aware of other activities they may be attending, such as parties, school or mall functions. To ensure the safety of members in base housing, the 22nd Security Forces Squadron pumpkin patrol will patrol the streets, and hand out bracelets and pencils. "We are doing this patrol to ensure the safety of the Team McConnell family as they celebrate Halloween," said Staff Sgt. Jeffery Pearson, 22nd SFS police services NCOIC. The base trick-or-treating and the pumpkin patrol are just a few of the events at McConnell. Other events include the Neewollah Ball, Spooktacular, Halloween Bruch and The Den's Dorm Party. Airmen can contact the McConnell safety office at 759-3216 for more information on Halloween safety. Neewollah Ball Date/Time: Oct. 29 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Location: Youth Center POC: Steve Atkins Contact info: 759-4070 Spooktacular Date/Time: Oct. 29 from 4 to 5 p.m. Location: Base Clinic POC: Tech. Sgt. Mary Nelson Contact info: 759-6140 McConnell Base Housing Trick-or-treat Date/Time: Oct. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. Location: Base Housing POC: Staff Sgt. Airman Jeffery Pearson Contact info: 759-1099 Den Dorm Party Date/Time: Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. Location: Dorm 350 POC: Staff Sgt. David Parry Contact info: 759-3566 Halloween Brunch at Deb's Café Date/Time: Oct. 31 at 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: Deb's Café POC: Claudia Weaver Contact info: 759-6002