Halloween safety, event information

  • Published
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Fire department stresses fire safety
People can implement simple fire safety precautions to help make Halloween a safe event. These precautions include ensuring costumes and decorations are flame-resistant; distancing open flames from fuel sources; maintaining clear exits; and substituting flashlights for candles or torch lights. 

Fire safe costumes and decorations
Purchase only costumes, wigs and props labeled flame-resistant or flame-retardant. When creating a costume, choose materials that will not easily ignite if they come in contact with heat or flame. Avoid billowing or long trailing features. 

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 extreme caution when decorating with candles and supervise children at all times when candles are lit. When lighting candles inside Jack-O-Lanterns, use long fireplace-style matches and place lit pumpkins well away from all combustible items. Pumpkins can also be illuminated with small, inexpensive flashlights. 

Flash lights for decoration and visibility
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. 

Provide children with lightweight flashlights to carry for lighting or as part of their costume. 

Stop, drop and roll
Instruct children to stay away from open flames or other heat sources. Be sure children know how to stop, drop and roll in the event their clothing catches fire. (Stop immediately, drop to the ground, covering the face with hands, and roll over and over to extinguish flames.) 

Maintaining clear exits
Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, ensuring nothing blocks escape routes.
Instruct children who are attending parties at other peoples' homes to locate the exits and plan how they would get out in an emergency.
For more information on Halloween fire safety, call the fire department at 731-4101.

Base housing trick-or-treat hours
Trick-or-treat hours are from 5 to 7 p.m. in base housing. Families handing out candy are asked to turn on porch lights to signal "ghosts and goblins" in search of candy. Families who are not handing out candy are asked to turn off outside lights during this time.

Little Warriors can X-ray candy at Benefis
Benefis Radiology staff will X-ray Halloween candy for free in the Radiology Department on the 2nd floor of Benefis East Campus, located at 1101 26th St. S. Oct. 31 from 5 to 9 p.m.

Little Warriors can see their candy on a computer screen and learn about x-rays while ensuring the safety of the candy.

"We put the candy on our table and can watch it live on TV," said Jerry Shaw, radiology supervisor. "We'll show them what their Kit Kat and Reese's Peanut Butter Cup look like."

341st CES haunted house to open Oct. 24
The 341st Civil Engineer Squadron haunted house will open Oct. 24 and 25 from 7 to 11 p.m. and Oct. 29 to 31 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Westgate Mall. Cost per person is $4, or $3 with a canned food item. Cost for a family of four is $10, or $9 with a canned food item. Proceeds benefit the Great Falls Food Bank and Operation Warm Heart, a program that provides assistance to military families during the holidays.

VFW Post 1087 to host Halloween carnival
The VFW Post 1087 located at 4123 10th Ave. S., will host a Halloween carnival and costume contest Oct. 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. Call the V.F.W. Post 1087 at 454-1166 for more information.

Base chapel to host harvest festival
Airmen and their families are invited to the base chapel annex Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. for crafts, games, prizes and food. Attendees are encouraged to wear non-scary costumes and admission is one canned good per person. For more information, call the chapel at 731-3721.

YPC to host Fall Festival and Teen Fear Factor Challenge
Fall Festival:
The Youth Programs Center located in building 1145 will host the annual Fall Festival Oct. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. Wristbands cost $5 and entitle each youth to unlimited games. Prizes will be awarded for costumes by age category. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase.

Teen Fear Factor Challenge:
Teens aging from 13 to 18 are invited to test their bravery and win prizes for funniest, scariest and most original costume at the YPC in building 1145 Oct. 31 from 8 to 11 p.m. Cost is free to members and $5 to non-members.