Halloween Safety

10/29/2018 (Permalink)

Halloween is almost here.  It is a time of fun and festivities for children and adults alike, including decorating the house, dressing up in costumes, going out trick-or-treating, and attending spook-filled parties. But don’t forget about Halloween fire prevention!

Unfortunately, many of the favorite activities associated with Halloween can also be serious fire hazards, especially if precautions aren’t taken. According to the National Fire Protection Association, Halloween fires are responsible for $13 million in property damage every year, in addition to risks of injury and death.

In order to make sure you and your family stay safe, make sure to follow these Halloween fire prevention tips:

Consider Costume Length and Materials.

Dressing up can be one of the most fun activities associated with Halloween.  Unfortunately, some costume can be fire hazards.

Look for costumes that are made of flame-retardant materials. 

Avoid long-trailing costumes or outfits that are oversized and bulky.  

Pay Attention to Decoration Locations.

Jack-o-lanterns and other candlelit decorations are always popular on Halloween. However, if you use real candles for these decorations, it is important to keep them in a safe location.  Make sure they remain at least three feet away from people and things that could accidentally ignite.

Similarly, corn stalks, hay bales, and paper decorations need to remain at least three feet away from any heat source or flame. Flammable decorations that are too close to a light bulb or heater may start a fire.

Make sure no Halloween decorations are blocking your exits. If you need to escape quickly, you will want all paths out the house to be clear and easily accessible.

Choose an Alternative Light Source.

One of the best ways to keep safe on Halloween is to use battery operated lights or glow sticks instead of open flames.

If you and your family are going out trick-or-treating, be sure to carry a flashlight.  Make sure it is bright enough so that you can see any potential fire hazards and so that others can see you and the full extent of your costumes.

Practice “Stop, Drop, and Roll”.

Advise young children to keep far enough away from any decorations that may have candles.  And make sure they know to “stop, drop, and roll” if their costumes should catch on fire.

Check Your Fire Alarms.

October is Fire Prevention Month, so make sure to double check that your fire alarms are working properly, just in case.