Trick or treat! Published Oct. 27, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Kristin Ruleau 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- It's almost Halloween, and that means children are ready to transform into ghouls and goblins and will be starving for candy. Protect your little witches, princesses and ninjas this year and be sure to follow some of the basic safety principles. Most parents will be preparing children's costumes, but they need to keep safety in the forefront of their minds. Make sure mask eyeholes are large enough to allow full vision, and costumes and candy bags are light-colored and have reflective tape or belts. Costume components should be made of flame resistant materials such as nylon or polyester with labels that read "flame resistant." Accompany children while trick-or-treating and don't allow them to enter strangers' homes. Have flashlights ready and remember to watch for cars when crossing the street. Parents should ensure all candy loot is wrapped and sealed. Trick-or-treating hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. for all government housing. The Spangdahlem Air Base Commissary will feature costume contests for ages 0-12, Oct. 29-31. Children will have their photos taken and winners will be selected. The top three will win $75 in Oscar Meyer products. Potential participants can contact Mr. Jeff Rose at DSN 452-6241 for more information. The Bitburg Air Base Commissary will be hosting an apple bobbing contest 10 a.m., Oct. 31. Employees don costumes and prizes will be given out for the top three best costumes as well as the apple bobbing contest winner. For more information, contact Mrs. Ernestina Vasquez at DSN 452-9135. Get spooked at the haunted house 6 p.m. - midnight, Oct. 30-31, in the Bitburg French Kaserne. Children are admitted for $3, adults $5. Youths are welcome to trick-or-treat from 6 to 7 p.m. and the Bitburg gate will be open for local nationals 7 p.m. - midnight, Oct. 31. During the trick-or-treat portion, the actors will leave the lights on and hand out candy to children. The 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron and Communications Squadron will have food booths offering burgers, chicken strips, frito pies and french fries, as well as an assortment of beverages for sale. The 52nd Medical Group, CES and CS are sponsoring this event, with benefits going toward each squadron's Christmas party and Booster Club. The 52nd Force Support Squadron will host "trick-or-treat street" at the Bitburg Youth Center, bldg. 58. All ages are welcome to trick-or-treat 6-8 p.m. Teens ages 13-18 are invited to a costume party 8 p.m. - midnight. Entrance fees are $5 for teen youth club members and $7 for nonmembers. For more information, call the Spangdahlem Youth Center at 452-7545.