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Show TIMES October 27, 2005 Photo by Beth Young From cute pumpkins to scary skeletons, base housing residents are gearing up for ghoulish visitors with a wicked sweet tooth. weekend Halloween events Scares 'n BY BETH YOUNG Hilltop Times staff Halloween trick-or-treating activities will be held Saturday from 6-9 p.m. on Hill AFB for children of base residents. Several other activities, ranging from haunted houses to costume parties are also planned by base organizations. The Junior Enlisted Association will host a "The Pit of Hill" haunted house at Bldg. 524. Children are welcome from 5 to 6 p.m. for more friendly frights, and adults are dared to brave the Pit from 6:30 until closing, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The cost is $4 for JEA and Hill 56 members and $5 for non-members. Friday, Club Hill will host the Monster Bash. This frighteningly good time will take place in the Officers' and Enlisted Lounge starting at 7 p.m. The event will feature a best costume contest with cash prizes for first, second and third places. For more information call 777-3841. Friday and Saturday, the Youth Center will be transformed into the "The Scariest House on Hill." Friday the haunted house will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. for the "not so scary" version and 6 to 11 p.m. on Saturday for older children. Cost is $3 for members and $4 for non-members. Also on Saturday the Base Exchange will host the AAFES Treat Street from 4 to 6 p.m. In addition to treats from participating mall vendors, the food court and BX for children, there will be a Best Costume Contest. The Hess Fitness Center Halloween Costume 5K Run/ Walk begins at 9 a.m. Saturday. Pre-register and pay $10 per person or $15 the day of the event. For more information call 777-2761 or 777-2762. To ensure Halloween thrills don't turn into something more dangerous, adults are encouraged to plan activities with safety in mind. The following are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics: • 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. • Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. • All children and their escorts should carry flashlights with fresh batteries. • Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost. • Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs. • Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater. • A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds. • 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 only go to homes with a porch light on. • 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 enter a stranger's home or car for a treat. *Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will. A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage little ghouls and goblins from filling up on Halloween treats. Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items. Takes more ta an apple a day to keep the doctor away BY 2ND LT. WILLIAM POWELL 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs. home rather than eating fast food and scription medication, if a doctor did not preencourage exercising. Families can scribe the medicine spealso attend classes or individual in10/17/2005 -TYNDALL AIR struction on weight management and cifically for that child, FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- Eating fitness at any base health and wellness they could be doing an apple a day doesn't always keep the more harm center. doctor away. "For many, nutrition and fitness can than good, This is especially true in children she said. be a perfect opportunity to get the from birth to early adolescence, an "Antibiwhole family involved in decision makage group with especially high illness otics are ing," he said. rates, said Maj. Tamara Hall, the 325th wonder— Eating healthy, exercisMedical Operations Squadron ing and washing hands fre- ful for pediatrics flight commander treating quently are excellent ways and nurse practitioner here. bacteto proactively maintain Children carry many viruses good health in children and rial illbecause they often share food adults. But parents also need nesses, and drinks with other children, to schedule routine wellness b u t and they don't wash their hands visits with a physician for the vast majority of illoften enough, she said. "preventative maintenance." nesses children get are Fortunately, parents can help Newborns need a wellcaused by viruses," reduce the likelihood of their ness visit at the two-week, Major Hall said. children getting sick by followtwo-month, four-month, "So giving them ing a few simple tips, she said. 3 and six-month, one-year an antibiotic may " ' Since children's immature 18-month date after birth. not get them better immunity systems are weak Beginning at age 2, chilany faster, but it could cause a severe -Senior Master Sgt. Ronald Hagen against viruses, parents should dren should receive an anallergic reaction, cause more antibitry to keep young children away nual wellness visit near their otic-resistant bacteria to form or give from crowds as much as posbirthday until they turn 18, them an overdose because children sible, Major Hall said. However, most children don't eat the prescriptions are based on how much "Also, teach your children to wash recommended daily servings because Major Hall said. Unfortunately, these tips won't cure they weigh that day. It's much safer to so many popular high-sugar, high-fat their hands. A good time to start is after you change your baby's diaper, and high-sodium foods that are found or prevent all illnesses, and children give them a correct dosage of overin most fast food items and pre-pack- are likely to pick up between eight to the-counter medication until the child Wash yours and your child's hands. 12 viruses every year if they are in day is seen by a doctor." That way, by the time they reach pre- aged frozen meals are available. care, preschool or kindergarten, the school age, they're used to using the However, unless a sick child is under Sergeant Hagen recommends parmajor said. bathroom and washing their hands." 3 years old, has a fever of 103 degrees ents look closely at food ingredients at the grocery store and restaurant, And even though some parents mean or above, has difficulty breathing or Children also need a nutritious well when they give sick children pre- has had cold symptoms for more than diet and plenty of exercise to remain prepare quick and healthy recipes at healthy, said Senior Master Sgt. Ronald Hagen, the 325th AeromedicalDental Squadron's certified dietary manager. "Children should eat six servings of whole grain products, three to five servings of fruits and vegetables, three servings of dairy products and 5 ounces of lean protein each day," he said. or many, nutrition and fitness can be a perfect opportunity to get the whole family involved in decision making. ' two weeks without getting better, the child won't normally need to see a doctor, the major said. t "The vast majority of children we see have typical viral common-cold symptoms, and although we would love to make them better, there are no medications to kill the viruses," she said. *Their bodies have to do it all by themselves, but over-the-counter medicine for children ages 2 and up can help them feel less miserable." |