Halloween a time for scares and safety Published Oct. 20, 2008 By Kevin Chandler 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- While their children focus on creating the perfect costume and dream of the candy that awaits, parents are looking to keep their kids safe this Halloween. The 97th Air Mobility Wing Safety Office has provided these tips for having a safe, enjoyable Halloween: · Ensure costumes are fire proof and don't hinder your child's vision · Keep jack-o-lanterns out of trick or treaters' path · Reinforce basic safety, such as properly crossing streets and not talking to strangers · Check all candy received and throw away any suspicious or unwrapped items · Trim costumes with reflective tape or carry flashlights/glow sticks · Only visit houses where the residents are known and the lights are on Additionally, Staff Sgt. Jerold Carlile, 97th Security Forces Squadron, has a few guidelines for trick or treating in base housing. Base housing residents are asked to limit vehicle traffic between the hours of 6 and 8 p. m. Halloween night. Parents should not drive children from house to house but should instead park and walk. Glow sticks will be handed out to children by base safety patrol members to increase pedestrian visibility. The passenger Terminal will be open from 7 - 10 p. m., to X-ray candy for the children of Altus AFB. For more information call the ground safety office at 481-7233 or 97th Security Forces at 481-5661.