Halloween Safety Checklist

Halloween is a fun and spooky time for children and adults. It is also a time for costumes, decorations and candles. All of which pose a fire risk and the potential to spoil the occasion if not followed through with care.

To make sure you have a spooky, but safe Halloween all you need to do is follow these safety tips:

• Try to avoid using candles – please consider using a battery powered candle
• When trick or treating take a torch out or even glowsticks
• If you do decide to use candles – please becareful.  Don’t place them near anything flammable, don’t leave them unattended when lit and teach your children to not touch the flame or go too near to them
• Ensure all candles are extinguished before you go to bed
• Don’t attach Halloween decorations to heaters or lights and keep away from naked flames
• If you have an open fireplace avoid getting too close to avoid clothing catching fire or invest in a firescreen
• Whether you make or buy a costume please try to pick a material that is flame retardant.  Also avoid costumes with long material trailing behind, as it can cause a trip hazard and could also catch light by a candle
• Practice STOP, DROP and ROLL with your children, if clothes catch fire
• Test your smoke alarms regularly and never remove the batteries
• Don’t overload sockets. Use this handy ‘socket calculator’ to make sure you’re safe
• Plan ahead – in the event of a fire do you know how you will evacuate friends and family quickly and safely? Don’t block escape routes
• Older people are at greater risk of fire so do keep an eye on them

Whilst these guidelines have home owners in mind, these common sense guidelines are equally applicable to people in the workplace.

Have a safe and happy Halloween