Halloween Safety Tips Published Oct. 17, 2013 By Department of Defense Police - LA AFB/61st Security Forces Squadron LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Ghost, ghouls and monsters aren't the only thing to be afraid of on Halloween. Parents are warned to closely inspect children's candy, soda, and snack items to ensure children do not accidentally ingest a concentrated drug. In recent months, thousands of illicit edible products have been seized in the form of can-dies, cookies, cereal snacks, and bottled soda, all containing varying amounts of concen-trated tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive substance found in the mari-juana plant. Since these items can be packaged to resemble licensed commercial candy and snacks, it is important to examine them. Always examine candy and treats in a room with bright lights as soon as your trick-or-treater arrives home. Things to look for: · Lumps or bulges under the wrappers · Punctures or pinholes in wrappers or boxes · Ripped wrappers · Loose wrappers · Discolored or stained wrappers or boxes · Foreign objects poking from the candy · Candy that isn't in the original box or wrapper · Treats that are in unsealed boxes or partly unwrapped wrappers · Mismatched candy in packages containing multiple pieces. Look for candies that are a different size or color from all the others. · Candy brands or manufacturers that you've never heard of · Candy that has a strange or unpleasant smell · Candy that has passed its expiration date Ensure you look for and throw away any homemade goods and candy that may have been tampered with or that do not look right for any reason. Examples include popcorn balls, caramel apples, or baked goods like cookies or brownies. Additionally, accidents and mishaps increase dramatically when children trick-or-treat. To avoid the many dangers you may face this Halloween, follow these tips to keep your family safe. · Try to trick-or-treat when there is still light outside. · Wear a costume that is fire resistant and makes it easy to walk, see and be seen. · Masks can obstruct your vision so consider using facial make up instead. · Use a flashlight if you are out at night. · To avoid tripping, walk from house to house instead of running. · A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children. · Never enter a stranger's house. · Only cross the street at corners and do not cross mid-block between parked cars. · To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, remove anything that visitors could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations. · Examine your candy at home before consumption. If in doubt, throw it out! · Keep pets away from all candy. Chocolate, which contains theobromine, can be poison-ous to pets causing nerve damage and even death. · Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater. Handy Telephone Numbers: Dept. of Defense Police - LAAFB 310-653-5787 310-653-5664 El Segundo Police 310-524-5600 Hawthorne Police (310) 349-2700 LAPD - Harbor Division 310-726-7700 EMERGENCY 9-1-1