A safe Halloween makes for a happy Halloween

By Airman 1st Class Ashley Perdue, 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs / Published October 24, 2017

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Members from the 6th Air Mobility Wing Safety office and Civil Engineer Squadron perform a safety inspection of the MacThrillville haunted house at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 20, 2017. Safety is MacDill’s number one priority to ensure all families have an enjoyable time this Halloween. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ashley Perdue)

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There will be several Halloween events taking place at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., from now until Oct. 31, 2017. The 6th Air Mobility Wing Safety office and 6th Security Forces Squadron work closely to ensure all members of MacDill and their families stay safe and practice good risk management and situational awareness during these events. (Courtesy graphic)

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A child sits on the front of an all-terrain vehicle from the 6th Security Forces Squadron during the MacThrillville Fall Festival at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 20, 2017. The static vehicle display was one of the many events for children at this year’s event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ashley Perdue)

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A family walks through the MacThrillville haunted house at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 20, 2017. The MacThrillville Fall Festival is an annual event open for all members of MacDill that included events such as a haunted house, face painting, static vehicle displays, kids crafting section, and a DJ. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ashley Perdue)

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A volunteer for the MacThrillville haunted house demonstrates his character’s role at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 20, 2017. The haunted house took place throughout the entire building of the pool house and was one of many events offered to members of MacDill during the MacThrillville Fall Festival. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ashley Perdue)

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Airman 1st Class Heather Fejerang, broadcast journalist with the 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs office, participates at the MacThrillville haunted house at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 20, 2017. The MacThrillville Fall Festival was one of the several base-wide community Halloween events taking place this year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ashley Perdue)

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A mother and daughter pose for a photo during the MacThrillville Fall Festival at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 20, 2017. MacThrillville included events such as a haunted house, face painting, static vehicle displays, kids crafting section, and a DJ. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ashley Perdue)

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --

With Halloween, treats, and celebrations like MacThrillville, just around the corner, Team MacDill encourages service members and their families to practice excellent risk management and situational awareness this Halloween season.

“Our goal is to ensure that families on base enjoy a safe and exciting time this Halloween,” said Staff Sgt. Mohindra Lauchman, NCO in charge of ground safety with the 6th Air Mobility Wing Safety Office.

The Safety Office and 6th Security Forces Squadron would like to highlight a few safety tips for this year’s activities, especially during trick-or-treating, to reduce the risk of any mishaps:

Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see.
Avoid trick-or-treating alone.
Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
Look both ways before crossing the street. Use crosswalks wherever possible.
Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
Pin a slip of paper to the costumes of younger children listing the child’s name, address and telephone number in the event the child is separated from their group.
If you are driving, stay alert! Be especially cautious in residential neighborhoods.
If you plan on drinking, have a plan!

The 6th SFS sponsors a program called the “Pumpkin Patrol” which is made up of volunteers from throughout MacDill to provide a safe and secure environment for trick-or-treaters throughout base housing.

These “Pumpkin Patrols,” in addition to the normal security forces presence, will be assigned a specific zone to watch and will sound the alarm for any emergencies or suspicious activities.

“All of us here at MacDill place a paramount focus on the safety of MacDill service members and their families, on and off duty,” said John Finelli, Chief of the community services flight with the 6th Force Support Squadron. “In addition, the 6th Civil Engineer Squadron have been excellent partners, especially during the MacThrillville efforts, ensuring safety at every step along the way.”