As Halloween approaches we think of festive costumes, jack-o-lanterns, eerie decorations, and lots of candy. Whether you are deciding on a costume for yourself or your children or you are gathering decorations for your home, always think of personal life and fire safety!
Consider the following safety tips:
- When choosing a costume, stay away from billowing and long trailing fabric. If you are creating a costume, choose materials that do not ignite easily. If a mask is worn, be sure the eye holes are large enough to easily see through.
- Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume especially when walking outside in the dark.
- Use a battery-operated candle or glow stick in jack-o-lanterns. If you do use a real candle, use caution. Be sure to place lit pumpkins well away from anything that can burn and far enough away from trick-or-treaters, doorsteps and walkways.
- Remember to keep exits clear of decorations and assure that your smoke alarms are in working condition.
- Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper catch fire easily. Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters.
- If your children are attending parties at other’s homes, have them determine how they should get out during an emergency.
- Tell children to stay away from open flames, including jack-o-lanterns, with candles. Be sure they know how to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes catch fire:
STOP…..DROP……COVER THEIR FACE WITH THEIR HANDS…..and LOG ROLL OVER and OVER ….UNTIL THE FLAMES ARE OUT!!!
Information Source: NFPA.org/education