MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- Halloween is a day for children to be whatever they want for one night. It is an exciting day of tricks, treats and sometimes scares, but one cannot forget about safety while trick-or-treating.
Cherry Point’s 2013 Halloween trick-or-treat night, will take place tonight from 5-9 p.m. in housing areas aboard the air station.
Candy, decorations and costumes are all potential hazards for children on Halloween that are often overlooked.
Child safety is essential when trick-or-treating. It is the responsibility of parents or guardians of trick-or-treaters to make sure that the experience is safe and enjoyable.
To ensure the safety of all trick-or-treaters aboard the air station, Cherry Point Police, the Provost Marshall’s Office Operations Division and Cherry Point Fire Department will be on hand providing security, candy distribution and candy screenings. The Security and Emergency Services directorate personnel will be at the event as well with “McGruff the Crime Dog” to hand out and screen candy from 5-7 p.m.
Screenings will be conducted by the SES with an Incident Command Vehicle, at the Fitness Center on Alexander Drive in Nugent Cove and by the Fire Department in a Fire Truck at the playground on Jefferson Drive in Grants Landing.
Walking patrols will be roaming the communities as well for extra support.
With safety as the main priority this Halloween, parents are instructed to only allow trick-or-treaters to carry props that are flexible and not allow them to trick-or-treat with anything that resemble real items such as weapons.
Before allowing children to trick-or-treat, parents should inform children to avoid strangers and poorly lit areas.
Children should always carry a light source and be accompanied by an adult and travel in groups. Well fitting shoes, flame-retardant and non dragging costumes are recommended and trick-or-treaters are advised to walk on sidewalks at all times and cross roads at designated areas.
Community members are encouraged to look out for each other and report any suspicious behavior. Visit the Halloween trick-or-treating section of http://safetycenter.navy.mil/ for more safety tips.