Close

Halloween Safety Tips for a Hauntingly Good Time

October 22, 2019

 

Olympia – Creative costumes, scary decorations, and delicious treats- oh my! As Halloween creeps up on us, the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) offers these tips and recommendations to ensure your holiday is spooktacular:

 

  • Purchase or make costumes that are made of “flame resistant” or “flame retardant” materials. This means they will resist burning and extinguish quickly if they are ignited.
  • Avoid costumes with billowing or long-trailing fabric to avoid tripping and fire ignition hazards.
  • Provide children with flashlights or glow sticks so that they are more easily seen when trick-or-treating. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough that they can see out of them.
  • Keep decorations like cornstalks and leaves away from open flames and other heat sources. If possible, use battery-operated lights instead of candles for pumpkins. If you choose to use candle decorations, keep them attended at all times and extinguish them if you leave the room.
  • Be familiar with exits, fire extinguisher locations, and emergency evacuation plans when you are celebrating at a party or are in a new environment.

 

Your Halloween can be safe and memorable if you implement these tips. For more information on holiday fire safety and prevention, visit the SFMO’s website at https://wsp.wa.gov/prevention-data-collection/ or follow us on Twitter @wafiremarshal.

###