Did you know the mayor of Lawton designated Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. as the official trick-or-treat night for the city of Lawton'
In keeping with tradition, Fort Sill will observe the same date and times for its Halloween night activities.
This prevents children from seeking treats on different nights or times, decreasing chances of accidents and injuries.
While our little ghosts, goblins, super heroes and pirates are pretty safe while they trick-or-treat on Fort Sill, I can remember hearing true horror stories when I was a kid. Those stories involved tainted candy, traffic accidents and unsafe costumes and decorations that ended a child's Halloween celebration much too early.
Decorations were the first item ignited in an estimated average of more than 1,000 home structure fires per year during 2002-2005, according to a National Fire Protection Association report. More than half of these fires were started by candles, like candles you would put in a jack-o'-lantern.
There are many things that parents, kids, and adults can do to make sure that Halloween remains a safe holiday.
Make sure costumes purchased are labeled flame-resistant or flameretardant, choose materials that will not easily ignite, and keep fire safety in mind when decorating your home, inside and out.
I hope everyone gets a chance to visit the Haunted Trail at Martha Songbird Nature Trail, the wooded area on Randolph Road near the Patriot Club, Friday.
The little ones, 9 years old and below are welcome from 6 to 8 p.m. and those older than 9 years old are welcome from 8 to 10 p.m.
Those folks have put a lot of effort into making it something to remember for people of all ages.
I want everyone to have a safe Halloween. We don't need one injury over the weekend. Here are some Halloween safety tips:
- Buy only costumes, wigs and props labeled flame-resistant or flame retardant. If you are making your own costume, choose material that won't easily ignite if it comes into contact with heat or flame.
- Avoid using billowing or long trailing features. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough so they can see out.
- Provide children with lightweight flashlights to carry for lighting or 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.
- It is safest to use a flashlight or battery-operated candles 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 well away from anything that can burn including trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, walkways and yards.
- Remember to keep exits clear 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.
To send questions or comments to me, please e-mail fscms@conus.army.mil, or you can mail your comments to Commander, USAG-Fort Sill, 462 Hamilton Road, Suite 120, Fort Sill, OK 73503. Thanks and have a great Fort Sill day.
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