While planning your spooky celebrations, keep Halloween fire safety at the forefront of your mind to avoid the real hazards hidden behind festive decorations and costumes.
Every year, hundreds of homes experience fires caused by Halloween decorations, costumes, and a lack of proper safety precautions. The good news is that you can prevent these dangers by following a few simple Halloween fire safety tips.
Common Halloween Fire Hazards
Those spooky decorations that you spent the last few weeks crafting can pose serious fire risks. From 2017 to 2021, an average of 790 home structure fires per year began with decorations, according to NFPA research. These fires resulted in four civilian deaths, 33 injuries, and $14 million in property damage annually.
One of the biggest culprits? Candles. About 30% of these fires were caused by open flames, with decorations placed too close to heat sources like candles, light bulbs, or hot equipment. The ghoulish glow of candles in jack-o’-lanterns may set the mood, but it poses a significant fire risk.
Essential Halloween Fire Safety Tips
By taking a few precautions, you can ensure your Halloween remains both fun and safe. Here are some essential Halloween fire safety tips:
- Use Flameless Candles: Opt for glow sticks or battery-operated candles in your jack-o’-lanterns and other decorations instead of real candles. These alternatives provide the same spooky effect without the fire hazard.
- Keep Decorations Far Away from Heat Sources: Ensure that any flammable decorations are kept away from open flames, hot equipment, light bulbs, and heaters. Don’t place paper, fabric, or plastic decorations, which can easily catch fire too close to a heat source.
- Be Cautious with Costumes: When choosing costumes, avoid long, trailing fabric that could accidentally come into contact with an open flame. Ensure costumes are flame-resistant or flame-retardant, and always supervise children wearing them.
- Provide Proper Lighting: Equip children with flashlights or glow sticks as part of their costumes to improve visibility while trick-or-treating. Not only does this help prevent trips and falls, but it also reduces the likelihood of costume fabric brushing against candles or other flames.
- Teach Fire Safety to Children: Educate children about the dangers of fire and teach them to stay away from open flames, including jack-o’-lanterns with candles inside. Ensure they know the importance of avoiding anything that could ignite their costumes.
- Keep Exits Clear: Decorations should never block doorways or exits. In an emergency, you must ensure that all escape routes are easily accessible. Make it a point to check that all fire alarms in your home are functioning correctly before the festivities begin.
Additional Considerations for Halloween Fire Safety
While the tips above cover the basics, here are a few more safety considerations to keep in mind:
- Electrical Safety: If you decorate with lights, ensure the wires are damage-free. Use outdoor-rated extension cords for exterior decorations, and avoid overloading electrical outlets.
- Pumpkin Placement: Avoid placing jack-o’-lanterns on stairs, walkways, or anywhere they could be easily knocked over. If using candles, ensure they are in a sturdy holder and on a stable surface.
- Fire Extinguishers and Alarms: Make sure that you have fire extinguishers readily available in your home and that everyone knows where they are and how to use them. Check your smoke detectors and fire alarms to ensure they work correctly before Halloween night.
Make This Halloween Spooky and Safe
Halloween should be a time for fun, laughter, and maybe a little scare—but it should never be a time for real-life fire emergencies. These Halloween fire safety tips can help protect your home, loved ones, and guests from potential dangers. With some preparation and attention to detail, your Halloween can be as safe as it is spooky.
Contact the team at DynaFire for safety tips you can use year-round. Here’s a sneak peek at our Thanksgiving safety tips! Stay safe, and have a fire-free Halloween!
