Operation Pumpkin provides Hanscom community with Halloween safety Published Oct. 15, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Michael Mandello 66th Security Forces Squadron HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Hanscom's streets will soon be full of little ghosts and goblins collecting treats in celebration of Halloween. This year, the hours for on-base trick-or-treating are from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31. Operation Pumpkin volunteers and members of the 66th Security Forces Squadron will be in place on the housing streets one hour before and one hour after trick-or-treating times to provide safety and security oversight. They will patrol housing areas wearing reflective vests to be easily recognizable to members of our community. Security forces volunteers will also be operating all-terrain vehicles in the housing area to provide a presence and quick response to any incidents requiring immediate attention. Keeping the tricks to a minimum and the treating safe and fun is the goal of this year's operation. As everyone gets ready for the big event, there are several safety precautions to consider. From costumes to candy, below are some tips to make sure Halloween is a treat for everyone. All parts of Halloween costumes should be labeled "flame retardant," and should not have trailing material or tails long enough to cause falls. Those wearing masks instead of make-up should double-check that eye holes are large enough to see through clearly. Prop weapons, such as a scythe, plastic butcher knife or pitchfork, should have smooth tips and be flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen upon. Trick-or-treaters should wear sturdy shoes and temperature-appropriate clothing beneath their costumes. Children should also carry a flashlight or glow stick and their costumes should be bright-colored or have reflective tape to highlight them. Candy hunters under the age of 12 should always be with an adult. Parents should consider taking small children out early in the evening and should also pin a slip of paper with the child's name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case the child gets separated from the group. If older children are going out unsupervised, parents should plan and discuss the route their child will follow and set a return time. Children should wear a watch that can be read in the dark so they can be home at an appropriate time. Children should avoid trick-or-treating alone; older children should stay in groups. Parents should know the names of the older children's companions. Parents should not allow children to go into areas they are not completely comfortable with or unfamiliar areas. Children should stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never enter a stranger's home or accept a ride in a car. As they rush to get the best candy, children should remember that pedestrian traffic rules still apply. Children should use sidewalks, cross only at the corners, never dart out between parked cars and cover one side of the street at a time. An adult should check bags of candy before children begin eating their treats. Parents should throw out anything that appears to have been tampered with and all homemade or home-packaged foods unless they are certain of the source. Parents should also check the bags of younger children for choking hazards. Those passing out treats this year should make sure their home is well lit and that there is a clear path to the door. To save the trick-or-treaters' parents the time of checking pounds of candy, people can substitute candy with non-food treats such as plastic rings, pencils or stickers. On Halloween, motorists must pay extra attention to their surroundings. They should keep their eyes open for children darting out from between parked cars and walking on roadways, medians and curbs. Motorists should also watch for children in dark clothing in the late evening and be wary while entering and exiting driveways. For more information or to volunteer for Operation Pumpkin, call Staff Sgt. Mandello at (781) 377-2635 or e-mail Michael.Mandello@hanscom.af.mil. For more Halloween safety tips and information, call the 66th Air Base Wing Safety Office at (781) 377-5135. Members of the Hanscom community are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to Operation Pumpkin volunteers or the Law Enforcement Desk at (781) 377-2315.