Halloween Safety Checklist
Halloween Fire Safety: How to Keep Your Family Safe This Halloween
Halloween is a great excuse for costumes, decorations, pumpkins and family fun, but some of the things that help create a spooky atmosphere can also introduce additional fire risks into the home.
Fancy dress costumes, candles, decorations and electrical lighting all need a little extra thought, particularly when children are involved.
The good news is that a few simple precautions can help everyone enjoy Halloween safely.
Choose Halloween Costumes Carefully
Dressing up is one of the best parts of Halloween, but it is important to remember that children’s fancy dress costumes are generally classed as toys rather than ordinary clothing. This means they are not necessarily made to the same fire safety standards as children’s everyday clothes.
When buying a Halloween costume:
• Buy from a reputable retailer or seller
• Look for a UKCA or CE marking on the packaging
• Read the safety information and warnings provided
• Avoid costumes with excessive trailing, flowing or loose material where possible
• Be particularly cautious when buying costumes from third party sellers online
• Check masks fit properly and allow the wearer to see clearly
• Keep all costumes well away from candles, fires and other naked flames
Even a costume which meets the appropriate safety requirements can still catch fire, so the most important precaution is to keep fancy dress away from flames altogether.
Consider wearing ordinary clothing underneath a costume to provide an additional layer between the costume and the skin.
Swap Real Candles for LED Candles
One of the simplest ways to reduce Halloween fire risk is to replace real candles with battery operated LED candles.
They can still give pumpkins, lanterns and decorations a great Halloween glow without introducing a naked flame.
LED candles are particularly useful inside carved pumpkins, where a traditional tea light can present a risk if a costume, decoration, child or pet gets too close.
If you do choose to use real candles:
• Never leave them unattended
• Keep them well away from children and pets
• Place them in a suitable, stable, heat resistant holder
• Keep them away from costumes, curtains, paper decorations, furniture and other materials which could catch fire
• Never position a candle or candle lit pumpkin where somebody could brush past it
• Extinguish all candles before leaving the room or going to bed
Think Carefully About Where You Put Decorations
Halloween decorations can transform a home, but their position matters.
Paper decorations, artificial cobwebs, hanging decorations and other lightweight materials can catch fire quickly if they come into contact with a flame or heat source.
Keep decorations well away from:
• Candles and tea lights
• Open fires and wood burners
• Radiators and heaters
• Light fittings which become hot
• Cooking areas
• Other sources of heat or flame
Remember to look upwards too. Hanging decorations should not be positioned where they could fall or blow onto a candle, heater or other heat source.
Decorations should never obstruct doors, hallways, stairs or other escape routes. You should always be able to leave your home quickly and safely in an emergency.
Take Care With Electrical Decorations
Light up pumpkins, illuminated decorations and Halloween lights are increasingly popular.
Check electrical decorations before using them and do not use anything with damaged cables, plugs or battery compartments.
Only use products outdoors if they are designed for outdoor use and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Switch decorations off when they are no longer needed and before going to bed.
Teach Children to Stop, Drop and Roll
It is worth teaching children what to do if their clothing ever catches fire.
Trying to run can make flames spread more quickly.
Instead, remember:
STOP
Stop where you are. Do not run.
DROP
Drop immediately to the ground and lie down.
ROLL
Roll backwards and forwards on the ground to help smother the flames. Cover your face with your hands if possible.
Practising Stop, Drop and Roll with children can help them remember what to do if they are ever faced with an emergency.
Stay Safe When Trick or Treating
If children are heading out trick or treating, a little preparation can make the evening safer.
Children should be supervised appropriately for their age and should be reminded to stay away from candles, lanterns, fires and other naked flames.
Consider using torches, glow sticks or reflective accessories to make costumes more visible after dark.
Take particular care around driveways and when crossing roads, especially where dark coloured costumes may make children more difficult for motorists to see.
Check Your Smoke Alarms
Halloween is also a useful reminder to check that your smoke alarms are working correctly.
You should have working smoke alarms in your home and everyone in the household should know what to do if an alarm sounds.
Keep escape routes clear and make sure keys for doors and windows are easily accessible where appropriate.
A Safe Halloween Can Still Be a Spooky One
Halloween should be memorable for all the right reasons.
Choosing costumes carefully, swapping candles for LED alternatives, keeping decorations away from heat and flames and teaching children Stop, Drop and Roll can all help reduce the risk of a Halloween celebration turning into an emergency.
A few minutes spent thinking about fire safety before the celebrations begin can make a big difference.
From everyone at Ezra Safety Group, have a happy and safe Halloween.
Need Help With Fire Safety?
Ezra Safety Group provides professional fire safety services including Fire Risk Assessments, Fire Door Inspections, Compartmentation Surveys and Fire Safety Training for organisations across Lancashire, the North West and throughout the UK.
Phone: 01772 349589
Email: info@ezrasafetygroup.co.uk
Website: www.ezrasafetygroup.co.uk
