Oct. 30, 2009
Yokosuka Important Halloween Safety Tips
By MC2(SW) Gabriel S. Weber, Navy Public Affairs Support Element Japan

Before you put your costume together and stock up on candy corn, the safety team at Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) has a few tips to keep the safety goblins away this Halloween.

When trick-or-treating begins, kids and parents alike need to be mindful of the potential hazards and steps they can take to minimize the danger.

“Costumes should be bright enough to ensure good visibility,” said Maria Amansec, the recreational, athletic and home safety manager for CFAY. “As it gets dark and there’s not a lot of illumination out there, the kids can be hard to see when they are walking on the sidewalks. Black or dark costumes are hard to see at night, unless the kids wear glow-in-the-dark or reflective tape.”

In addition to visibility, Amansec said that proper fit and fire resistance are also important.

“I know some parents buy costumes online, so they should make sure the costumes will not ignite quickly or burn easily,” she said. “Some kids also wear baggy costumes which can be a trip hazard, so they should not droop below the heel.”

Masks should be securely fastened to prevent obstructing fields of vision, or non-allergenic cosmetics used instead, she added.

Besides a costume safety checklist, traffic safety is equally important as the sun goes down and excited trick-or-treaters take to the streets.

“Sometimes drivers may not see them,” Dana Calvin, CFAY acting safety manager said of excited trick-or-treaters. “Children darting from door to door or through parking lots may not see a car backing out or turning into a parking space. We want the kids and their parents with them, to be mindful that there are other people on the roads.”

Trick-or-treaters should walk using crosswalks and sidewalks whenever possible, carry flashlights and only go to lit houses for treats. Trick-or-treating hours in base housing areas are from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on Halloween night.

Calvin added that, when decorating within the home, it is important to keep electrical safety in mind and avoid running extension cords under carpets or rugs.

“The cord generates heat and the carpet could get hot and start a fire. Overloading a circuit, plugging too many devices into a socket could cause an electrical short, so be mindful of making sure that you don’t overload your circuits and if you’re going to display lights, make sure that you have a plan so that cords are not going to be out there for people to trip on.”

Decorators should also use lights that are protected by the Underwriters Laboratory and should remember that candles are forbidden in base housing.

Contact Dana Calvin from the CFAY Safety Office at 243-5523 for more information.

I hope everybody has a fun, spooooooky, and happy Halloween! I love watching all the Japanese kids march onto base for Halloween. It is so cute! They're usually one of four costumes (princess, dracula, pirate, or frankenstein).

Happy Halloween everyone! Muahahahahahaha (spooky laugh).

Next year, I hope they have that haunted house closer to Halloween. Last Sat. was so much fun for everyone (even though it was raining, few were complaining).

Weeeee!

PS I'm going to watch the Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin video tomorrow night. It is AWESOME!

Halloween safety tips to help keep kids safe

From CFAY Safety Office, Recreational, Athletic and Home Safety

Due to the treats given to some of our children, Halloween is their most anticipated activity next to Santa’s toys on Christmas. Here’s a few safety tips in order to protect our children from unsafe trick or treating:

• Warn children not to eat any treats before an adult has carefully examined them from evidence of tampering.

• Make sure the costumes purchased or made will resist burning or should extinguish quickly once removed from ignition source. Avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.

• Costumes should be light and bright enough to be clearly visible to motorists. Decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape or glow in the dark patches. Costumes should be short enough to prevent from tripping or falling.

Children should wear comfortable walking shoes and their masks/scarf should be securely tied so as not to obscure vision while walking.

Apply natural mask of cosmetics (check for allergies) if masks are loose or might restrict breathing. Swords, knives and similar accessories should be soft and flexible.

• All children should walk and not run from house to house, use sidewalk if available rather than walk on the street. Motorists should be cautioned from children running in between parked cars. Make sure they carry flashlights to make sure they see where they are going.

• Children should go only to homes of known residents and those whose outside lights are on as a sign of “Welcome”.
Remember, young children should always be accompanied or supervised by adults or older responsible child when trick or treating.