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Halloween is an exciting time that children look forward to each year for fun and tricks. However, sometimes the fun disappears and the tricks reappear in the form of injuries to little ghosts and goblins.
Some parents find it to be a nice time with their children, while others have understandable anxiety from stories they’ve heard, articles they’ve read or ideas put into their heads by friends and relatives. These are stories that prompt parents to keep their children from trick-or-treating.
Child safety must be the No. 1 priority during Halloween. But, fun should not be taken away because of a few bad apples. By thinking ahead, children can safely enjoy this special time by taking some precautions offered by the American Academy of Pediatrics:
• Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can
draw a face with markers, then parents can do the cutting. Lighted pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects and should never be left unattended.
• To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations. Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently bite a trick-or-treater.
• A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children in the neighborhood. If older children are going alone, plan and review the route and agree on a specific time when they should return home.
• Remind trick-or-treaters to stay in a group and communicate where they will be going. They should only go to homes with a porch light, remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
• Never cut across yards or use alleys and never enter a stranger’s home or car for a treat. When possible, only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Don’t assume the right of way as motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters. And remember, just because one car stops, it doesn’t mean others will.
• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant. Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame. Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
• A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on treats before they are checked by an adult.
• If older children are not accompanied while trick-or-treating, parents should ensure their children wear a watch and know when their curfew is so they get home on time.
• Parents should ensure their kids have money to call from a pay phone or carry a cell phone.
• Have a flashlight handy.
• Drivers should expect the unexpected. Slow down in residential areas and remember that trick-or-treaters have the right of way. For the sake of the children, don’t drink and drive – not even one drink. Make it a fun, enjoyable and safe Halloween.
Fright night on Ramstein
Trick-or-Treaters are invited to come out and enjoy Halloween throughout the Ramstein housing areas Oct. 31. Col. Kurt Lohide, 435th Air Base Wing commander, has authorized trick-or-treating hours from 6 to 8 p.m.
Volunteers from all Ramstein agencies will be paired with security forces members to patrol the housing areas to ensure this year’s event is safe and enjoyable for all. All personnel should limit driving through the housing areas.
Parents are encouraged to ensure their children wear appropriate reflective clothing.
Volunteers can contact the 435th Security Forces Squadron representatives, Tech. Sgt. Michael Swanson or Senior Airman Lon Russell at 478-2231.
!Halloween Hauntings
The Landstuhl Library hosts Halloween Hauntings for preschoolers 10 a.m. Wednesday at the library, Bldg. 3809 on Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.
!Adult Halloween parties
The Kazabra Club on Vogelweh hosts a country style Halloween party for adults, 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Oct. 28. Come in costume as the party features Halloween fun and contests.
The Sembach Club hosts an adult Halloween party at 8 p.m. Oct. 28. Enjoy live music in the Keller Bar with Rockin’ Carbonara, play games, dance and enter the costume contests.
!Spook Tour
The Landstuhl Teen Center is offering transportation to the Spook Tour at the Ramstein American High School 6 to 11 p.m. Oct. 27. Transportation departs at 5:45 p.m. from the U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern’s Bldg. 3819 on Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. This trip is for all garrison’s Child and Youth Services registered teens in grades 6 to 12 as well as those seeking registration. Signed permission slips are required and can be picked up at the teen center. For details, call 486-8658 or 06371-86-8658.
!Halloween at Europa Park
The Ramstein Roadrunners volksmarching club has a trip Oct. 28 to Europa Park in Rust for Halloween. Participants do not need to be a member of the Ramstein Roadrunners. Visit www.europapark.de. For details and price, call 06371-94-3635 or e-mail bennie652004@yahoo.com.
!Haunted Tent City
The 38th Construction and Training Squadron is holding its 10th annual Haunted Tent City Oct. 27 to 31 from 6 p.m. to midnight at the 38th CTS Compound. The event is not recommended for children under 12 years of age. Cost is $5 or €5 per person. The event is located two miles from Ramstein’s West Gate heading west toward the 38th CTS. For more information, visit www.haunted-tent-city.com.
!Rod & Gun Club
Friendly Forest and Haunted Hayride Oct. 27 and 28. Cost $3. Friendly Forest 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for ages 8 and under. Haunted Hayride 8:30 to 11 p.m. for ages 9 and up.
!Ramstein Youth Center
Trick or Treat Street and carnival at Ramstein Youth Center gym, open to all ages and includes candy, bouncy castles, arts and crafts and more.
!Ramstein Enlisted Club
Halloween party 9 p.m. Oct. 28, with various contests including “Best Costume.” Kids Club (all ranks) from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.
!Ramstein MOMS
One dollar off horror movie rental Sunday to Oct. 31.
!Ramstein Bowling Center
“Ghostly Challenge” for kids, pick up a bowling pin, decorate it, drop it off by Oct. 30, prizes awarded Oct. 31.
!Sembach Combined Club
Kiddie Halloween party from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday. Bring your little monsters to the club for a spooky blast. Halloween buffet is $10.95 for adults and $6.95 for children ages 5 to 12. Club member’s kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal and kids under age 5 eat free.
!Trunk a Treat
Trunk a Treat in conjunction with the Sembach Chapel Fall Festival from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 28. Check out the line of decorated cars handing out Halloween treats and enjoy games like bobbing for apples, pie eating contest and a costume contest.
!Vogelweh Bowling Center
Throughout the month “Dress-A-Pin” contest by signing out a bowling pin and putting it in costume. Return it by Oct. 29 for a chance to win a $25 savings bond. There will be winners in three age groups 3 to 6, 7 to 10 and 11 to 15.
!Vogelweh Youth Center
• Today, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Youth Center, pre-teen dance.
• Oct. 27, from 6 to 8 p.m., Teen Center pumpkin painting contest. Bring your own pumpkin; Teen Center Halloween dance and costume contest from 6 to 10 p.m., cost is $4 without costume and $2 with costume.
• Oct. 30, from 7 to 10 p.m., Teen Center trip to the haunted house on Ramstein.
• Oct. 31, from 5 to 10 p.m., decorate the Teen Center and scary movie night.
• Oct. 31, from 5 to 8 p.m., Vogelweh Community Center hosts “Trick-or-Treat” street, free. Eat sweets and play Halloween bingo for $5 per card and win prizes.
• Oct. 31, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Vogelweh Bowling Center gives away a free game of bowling to anyone who comes into the center in costume.
Send the KA your best recipes
Do you have a holiday dish that never misses? Send the KA your favorite holiday recipe, and it just may be published in the Nov. 17 issue as part of our special Thanksgiving Spectacular. Send recipes and craft ideas no later than Nov. 10 to editor@kaiserslauternamerican.com.
