FIRE PREVENTION - Halloween Safety

Halloween is one of the most thrilling nights of the year for children, and also one of the most dangerous. Halloween can indeed be scary, with increases in pedestrian injuries, burns and falls among children. 

DECORATIONS

• Use glow sticks or battery operated candles inside jack-o-lanterns instead of open flame candles.

• Keep candles, pumpkins with candles, matches and lighters out of children's reach.

• If you do use candles in your jack-o-lanterns, never leave them unattended.

• Remove obstacles from lawns, steps and porches when expecting treat-or-treaters.

• Indoors, keep candles and jack-o-lanterns away from curtains, decorations and other combustibles that could be ignited.

COSTUMES

• Use flame resistant costumes and accessories.

• Make sure the costume lets you see and hear.  You will need to be able to see where you are going as well as watch and listen for cars.

• Costumes should be visible- many have reflective trim for better visibility at night- (reflective tape may be purchased at sporting goods or hardware stores & added to make costumes and shoes to make kids more visible).

• To prevent trip hazards- shorten costumes if necessary.

• Wear well-fitting sneakers or shoes- Mom's high heels may look cute but may cause a fall.

• Face paint is preferable- if a mask is worn it should have large eyeholes to allow for full vision.

FIRE SAFETY

• Chemical sticks or battery powered jack-o-lanterns are much safer than candles.

• Go over "Stop, Drop & Roll" in case children's costumes catch fire.

TRAFFIC SAFETY

• Children should stay on sidewalks wherever possible and cross only at crosswalks and intersections.

• Do not cut across yards.  Lawn ornaments, clothes lines or other things may become hidden hazards in the dark.

• Children should carry flashlights to allow them to see where they are going and to make them for visible for drivers.

• Children should enter and exit cards on the curbside, away from traffic.

• Motorists:  When you are driving on Halloween night- please slow down in residential neighborhoods.  Watch for children walking and crossing streets. Enter and exit driveways and streets slowly and carefully.

TRICK OR TREATING

• Children should trick or treat in groups and be accompanied by an adult. Children should never enter a home or apartment unless there is an adult with them.

• Adults should check treats before children are allowed to eat them- discard unpackaged treats or any that have broken or torn packaging.

• Accessories, such as swords or knives should be made out soft flexible, material.

• Children should trick or treat only in groups - younger children should be accompanied by an adult.

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