Don't be a fool, keep your ghoul safe this Halloween

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Erica Picariello
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  With Halloween just around the corner, 39th Air Base Wing leadership has put measures in place to keep Incirlik's little princesses and goblins safe during their candy collecting. 

Spearheading the path to safety, the 39th Security Forces Squadron has gathered a team of volunteers to work an extra shift this Halloween. 

"About 39 SFS members volunteered to work the 'Pumpkin Patrol' this year," said Staff Sgt. Nathan Burks, 39 SFS non-commissioned officer in-charge of Law Enforcement. "The pumpkin Patrol consists of cops who will work to ensure that kids are safe during Halloween. We want a safe and happy environment for Incirlik youth." 

The pumpkin patrol will split up and scour sectors of Incirlik for mischief makers and lost children, while acting as walking deterrents. 

"We will be wearing orange traffic vests and carrying radios," Sergeant Burks said. "Our outfit can serve as a deterrent; not only are we easily visible to those in need, but also to those thinking about causing trouble." 

Halloween mischief often comes in the form of pumpkin smashing and toilet paper littered trees but 39 ABW Safety asks parents to consider more serious outcomes. 

"Children should only go out during daylight hours unless accompanied by a responsible adult, but if they must, instruct your child to never go into the home of a stranger or get into their car," said Tech. Sgt. Eric Streeter, 39 ABW Safety. "The pumpkin patrol will be watching Incirlik children but it's important that our kids also have set guidelines to ensure a happy, safe Halloween."

The 39 ABW Safety office suggested the following guidelines to help keep people safe:

- Tell your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by an adult.



- Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars



- If you have a lot of jack-o-lanterns, you should try a battery powered light source or light sticks to light them instead of candles. This cuts down on the fire hazards, such as catching costumes or props on fire. Use something like batter powered pumpkin lights



- masks on your pets really aren't a good idea, but if you decide to use one then make sure the eye holes are big enough for them to see peripherally.


Just like a Halloween jack-o-lantern, the Incirlik pumpkin patrol will be lit up for trick-or-treaters to see.

"It's important for kids to remember that if they're in trouble to find a 39 SFS member in an orange vest so we can help resolve whatever problem they might have," Sergeant Burks said.

For More information on Halloween safety visit www.cdc.gov/family/halloween.