Fire Safety Tips to Keep in Mind this Halloween

October is Fire Prevention Month. And Halloween brings candles and paper decorations into homes and shared spaces, and both can catch fire quickly. Decorations started an average of 832 home fires per year. Nearly half of those fires happened because a decoration was too close to a heat source, and about a third started with a candle.

Here are some safety tips that cover costumes, lights, candles, and decorations to make sure you have a safe Halloween every year.

Costume and Trick-or-Treat Safety

Candles in jack-o’-lanterns, wearing costumes improperly, falls, traffic accidents, and even face makeup can lead to Halloween injuries like cuts, abrasions, wounds, and burns.

The most common are hand injuries from pumpkin carving, and injuries due to falls caused by long costumes or costumes that impair vision.

To prevent trick-or-treating injuries:

• Costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant. Look for a "flame-resistant" label, and skip long, trailing fabric that can brush against a candle.
• Skip billowing or trailing fabric, like long capes and wide sleeves, that can drift into a candle without anyone noticing.
• If a costume includes a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough for your child to see open flames and other hazards clearly.
• If children are allowed out after dark, fasten reflective tape to their costumes and bags, or give them glow sticks, or better yet, a flashlight with new batteries.
• Teach kids to stay away from open flames, including jack-o’-lanterns on porches and walkways. Practice how to stop, drop, and roll so they know what to do if their clothing catches fire.

Decorating Safely at Home

Decorating your home and property for trick-or-treating has its own safety considerations to keep in mind.

• Keep your home brightly lit indoors and outside. Check the lighting for your front entryway or porch and replace any damaged bulbs that may have burned out.
• Remove or highlight potential tripping hazards, such as electrical cords: clear debris and other obstacles from your lawn, sidewalks and steps.
• Avoid open flames. You may want to opt for battery-operated candles in jack-o’-lanterns or other areas where costumed trick-or-treaters might stand.
• Keep dried cornstalks and crepe paper away from candles and hot light bulbs. Both catch fire easily.
• Don't let decorations block doors or exit routes, inside or out.
• Be sure that the extension cords you use outside are rated for outdoor use. Check for any frayed wires and replace as needed. Don’t overload extension cords. The cord should be the correct amps for what you’re plugging into it.

A Note for Property Managers

If you manage an apartment building or senior living community, residents will likely decorate their doors and common areas too.

A quick reminder before October 31 can prevent problems: ask residents to use battery-operated candles and to keep decorations away from sprinkler heads and fire alarm devices, and out of hallways and exit paths.

It’s also a good time to confirm your annual inspections are current and that your fire and security monitoring is working the way it should before the holiday season gets busy.

Be Prepared

Are you prepared if there is a fire? A fire extinguisher can stop a small fire before it spreads, but only if it’s ready to go and the people around it know what to do. Before Halloween night, set aside a few minutes for a quick check.

Start by making sure your extinguisher is mounted where you can reach it and that the pressure gauge needle sits in the green zone. Then walk your family through the P.A.S.S. method: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep from side to side.

Fire Prevention Month Checklist

October is Fire Prevention Month. There are four important actions for everyone to do this month.

• Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
• Test them every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries.
• Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.
• If a fire occurs or your CO alarm goes off, get out and call for help. Never go back inside for anything or anyone.

A few minutes with these tips before October 31 can keep Halloween fun for everyone, from the youngest trick-or-treaters to your neighbors and residents.

Brothers Fire & Security works with property managers and business owners across Minnesota on fire protection and inspections, so you can head into the holidays knowing your building is ready.