Halloween Fire Safety

10/1/2017 (Permalink)

Have a Safe & Happy Halloween from SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County

For each year from 2011 to 2013, an estimated 10,300 fires were reported to fire departments in the United States over a three-day period around Halloween and caused an estimated 25 deaths, 125 injuries and $83 million in property loss. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) nearly half of decoration fires in homes occurred because the decorations were too close to a heat source.

Don't let these statistics scare you away from celebrating Halloween to the fullest! The vast majority of these fires are easily preventable. Here are a few safety tips to help ensure the holiday remains festive and fun.

• Keep decorations far away from open flames and other heat sources like lights and heaters. Remember to keep all of your home's exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes.
• Try a battery-operated candle or glow stick in jack-o'-lanterns. If you want to use real candles, be extremely careful. In this case, use long, fireplace-style matches or a utility lighter when lighting them inside jack-o'-lanterns. If there are children around, make sure they are watched at all times when candles are lit. Place the lit pumpkins well away from anything that can burn and far away from driveways, doorsteps, walkways and yards -- anyplace where trick-or-treaters may walk.
• Use flashlights as alternatives to candles or torch lights when decorating walkways and yards. They are much safer for trick-or-treaters whose costumes may brush up against the lighting as they walk to from your door.
• Choose costumes that don't require long-trailing fabric. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough so they can clearly see where he is walking to prevent trips or falls near dangerous or flammable items.
• Talk to your children and remind them to stay away from open flames, including jack-o'-lanterns with candles inside. Provide them with flashlights or glow sticks to carry for lighting as part of their costume.

Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)