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‘Pumpkin Patrol’ volunteers will help keep Halloween safe

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brad Bounds
  • 375th Security Forces Squadron
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill --  This Halloween, Team Scott members will be volunteering their time to support "Pumpkin Patrol"--a yearly event where base personnel come together to ensure the safety of children as they Trick-or-Treat through Scott neighborhoods.

Patrol members along with Security Forces will be on the lookout for any safety or law enforcement issues. This will help ensure a fun, yet secure, environment for the children of Scott Air Force Base.

Patrols will be offered in base housing locations Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m. Patrols will be walking the streets monitoring children. Members will be distinguished by wearing a reflective belt across their chest or a reflective police vest. If an incident arises, please contact a Pumpkin Patrol volunteer, they will be in direct contact with Security Forces.

This will ensure the fastest response possible to help protect the residents of the base.
Parents should properly cover all safety aspects as children head out for a night of fun. Reflective costumes or glow in the dark bracelet or flashlight will help children be seen. In case of an emergency call 911.

Halloween Fire Safety Tips:

When choosing a costume, stay away from billowing or long trailing fabric. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough so they can see out.
Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume.

Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs, and heaters.

Use corn stalks and other organic materials in moderation, as these items may seriously contribute to a fire.

It is safest to use a flashlight or battery-operated candle in a jack-o-lantern. If you use a real candle, use extreme caution. Make sure children are watched at all times when candles are lit. When lighting candles inside jack-o-lanterns, use long, fireplace-style matches or a utility lighter. Be sure to place lit pumpkins away from anything that can burn and far enough out of way of trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, walkways and yards.

Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes.
Tell children to stay away from open flames. Be sure they know how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire. Have them practice, stopping immediately, dropping to the ground, covering their face with hands, and rolling over and over to put the flames out.

Use flashlights as alternatives to candles or torch lights when decorating walkways and yards. They are much safer for trick-or-treaters, whose costumes may brush against the lighting. If your children are going to Halloween parties at others' homes, have them look for ways out of the home and plan how they would get out in an emergency.