On, October 31, 2015, the night will be filled with scary monsters and pretty princesses trick or treating. It is important to keep safety in mind when planning Halloween celebrations. The National Fire Protection Association’s most recent statistics show that Halloween decorations were the first items to be ignited in an average of 860 reported home structure fires per year from 2009-2013, causing an estimated average of one civilian death, 41 civilian injuries and $13.4 million in direct property damage. Nearly half of all decoration fires in homes are the result of decorations being too close to a heat source.
Here are some helpful tips to have a truly Happy Halloween:
- Costumes: stay away from billowing or long-trailing fabric. Choose material that will not easily ignite if it comes into contact with heat or flame.
- Visibility: Give children flashlights and/or glow sticks. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eyeholes are large enough so they can see clearly.
- Flammable decorations: Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs and heaters.
- Candles/Jack-o-lanterns: It is safest to use a glow stick or battery-operated candle in a jack-o-lantern. If you use a real candle, use extreme caution. Use long fireplace-style matches or a utility lighter when lighting candles inside jack-o-lanterns. If you choose to use candle decorations, keep them well attended at all times. Do not leave candles near flammable objects or in the path of trick-or-treaters. Remind your children to avoid open flames. Make sure children are watched at all times when candles are lit.
- Exits: Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes.
The Glendale Fire Department wishes the princesses, super heroes, ghosts, and goblins a happy and safe Halloween. To learn more about Halloween safety and the Glendale Fire Department, please visit www.glendalefire.org.
MyGlendaleCityNews is your online hub for all official Glendale, CA news and updates. To subscribe to our mailing list, click here.