Halloween is celebrated by millions of American every year. It is the time of the year where businesses stock their shelves with candies, costumes and Halloween decorations. People allow their children to dress up as ghosts, fairies, witches or anything they can possibly think of. It is also this time of the year where common fire incidents occurs because of hidden dangers associated with costumes, treats and decorations used for Halloween. It is important to be equipped with fire prevention methods and firefighting equipment to lessen the risk of fire injuries and deaths. Here are some suggestions you can do to celebrate this fun season without experiencing a fire emergency.
In planning your Halloween costumes and decorations, consider using battery powered lanterns or chemical light sticks instead of candles. Also keep decorative materials such as dried flowers and crepe paper which are combustible materials away from candles.
Costumes should be bright and reflective and makes sure that they are short enough to avoid tripping incidents. It is also best to use materials that will not easily ignite when they come in contact with flame. When shopping for costume accessories and wigs, buy only those that are flame resistant.
Inspect your smoke and fire alarms if it needs new batteries to ensure it is working properly on Halloween.
Eliminate tripping hazards on your walkway for children coming to your house for trick and treating. Put away flower pots, garden hoses and wires that may be present in your front porch to avoid minor accidents to young children rushing to your house.
Let your children bring flashlights and cell phones. Teach your children how to contact your home phone number and the local fire department if they encountered an emergency.
When using lighting or special effects, be very careful in using sockets and electrical plugs. Do not overload electrical sockets and if possible avoid using torch lights which may come in contact with costumes of trick-or-treaters.
For Jack-O-Lanterns, use long fireplace style matches when lighting the candles inside and place it in a location away from doorsteps and anything that can burn.
Clear fire exits from Halloween decorations and props so it is not obstructed or blocked when you need to evacuate in the event of a fire.
Be prepared with fire fighting equipment such as fire blankets and fire extinguishers for possible fire outbreaks.
Instruct your children to stay away from heat sources or flames. Teach them the stop, drop and roll method in case they catch fire with their costumes. It is recommended that children?s costumes are seen in the dark so they will be visible in case of a fire outbreak.
Planning ahead can make your Halloween celebration a fun and memorable one. Remember these simple steps and safety precautions and you are on your way to a fire-free Halloween experience.