Talk to your kids about Halloween safety and take simple, practical precautions to ensure a fire-safe Halloween, State Fire Marshal Richard Miller today said of the upcoming annual holiday. Having fun in flame-resistant costumes, trick-or-treating with parents or in a group, and using flashlights or glow sticks instead of candles are top ways to enjoy a safe Halloween.
“With all the excitement of Halloween, fire safety is usually not the first thing on people’s minds,” said Miller. “Halloween brings hidden fire dangers and is one the most dangerous nights of the year especially for home fires and burn-related injuries. Candles are the main culprit especially when left unattended as they can quickly ignite costumes and decorations. If you do choose to use candle decorations, pay close attention to them at all times.”
The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) most recent statistics show that decorations were the first items to be ignited in 920 reported home structure fires on average each year, resulting in $12.9 million in direct property damage. Nearly half of decoration fires in homes happened because decorations were too close to a heat source; 41 percent of these incidents were started by candles. Preferably, use flashlights or battery operated candles in pumpkins and decorative light sets that have been tested and certified for safety. Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep them away from all heat sources including light bulbs and heaters. Keep a fire extinguisher readily available and have working smoke alarms in the home.
Miller said keeping Halloween safe and scary for the kids can best be accomplished with prior planning and by following some easy safety tips:
- Only purchase costumes that are fire-proof or treated with fire retardant. Make reflective strips part of the costume to make kids more visible to cars at night.
- Keep costumes short to avoid falls; avoid billowing fabric that can catch fire.
- Use the buddy system. Kids should never go out trick or treating without an adult.
- Know the route your teenagers will be taking if you aren’t going with them. Have them check in with you every hour, by phone or stopping back home.
- Use a nontoxic face paint rather than a mask that can block your child’s peripheral vision.
- Pre-test any makeup on the child’s arm a couple of days in advance to avoid any adverse reaction or potential chemical burns.
- Make sure the kids know how to “stop, drop and roll” in case their costume catches fire.
- Have rules for candy – don’t let kids eat their candy until they get home and you have inspected it. If in doubt, throw it out.
The Bureau of Fire Services wishes all a happy, fire-safe Halloween. Visit the Bureau of Fire Services website at www.michigan.gov/bfs for more fire safety information.
Source: LARA