BUREAU OF FIRE PREVENTION
HALLOWEEN FIRE SAFETY TIPS
REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SEEING ONE OF THESE IN YOUR DRIVEWAY!
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), say to plan ahead. "Taking simple fire safety precautions like
making sure fabrics for costumes and decorative materials are flame resistant, can prevent fires," says
Mer-K Appy NFPA assistant vice president for public education. "Using candles greatly increases the chance
of fire, so we encourage people to use flashlights to light pumpkins and for other spooky effects."
Decorations for special events, most often involving candles, account for an annual average of 800 home fires,
causing nearly $4 million in direct property damage, according to NFPA. In the U.S. more than 100 people die
each year as a result of their clothing becoming ignited.
Halloween can be a fun celebration, but children should be closely supervised and their costumes made with
fire safety in mind. The NFPA suggests the following guidelines for a safer Halloween.
Purchase only those costumes, wigs, and props labeled as flame resistant or retardant. When creating
a costume, plan carefully to ensure it won't ignite easily if it becomes in contact with heat or flame.
Costumes should be made without billowing or long trailing features that present a higher risk of
ignition. Avoid highly flammable fabrics and accesories.
When planning party decorations, bear in mind that dried flowers and cornstalks are
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE! Keep crepe paper and other decorations well away from all heat sources,
including light bulbs, heaters, etc. Decorating with candles should be avoided. Pumpkins can be
safely illuminated with small inexpensiveflashlights. When decorating, remember
to keep exits clear. Be sure children are supervised at all times.
With little creativity, using flashlights instead of candles or torch lights to decorate walkways
and yards is highly effective in creating a festive atmosphere and it's much safer for trick or treaters.
Instruct children to stay away from open flames or other heat sources.
Be sure each child knows the STOP, DROP, and ROLL technique in the event their
clothing catches fire. (Stop immediately, drop to the ground, covering your face with your
hands, and roll over and over to extinguish the flames).
Instruct children who are attending parties at others' homes to locate the exits
and plan how they would get out in an emergency.
Provide children with lightweight flashlights to carry for lighting as part of their costumes instead
of candles.
If you have any more questions regarding Halloween Fire Safety
contact the Stewartsville Fire Co. non emergency number.
