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Tonight is the night, so here are some great last-minute tips on general Halloween safety, including Halloween fire safety in particular. The fire tips come from a remarkably credible source: the Michigan State Fire Marshal! Please consider these recommendations in conjunction with my Halloween tips post from last week to guarantee the safest Halloween you can have.
State Fire Marshal Ronald Farr is encouraging families to take a few simple safety precautions to reduce fire risk and avoid burn injuries during Halloween, where hidden dangers also come in disguise. “On Halloween there’s a significant increase in home fires and burn-related injuries most commonly caused by candles igniting costumes and decorations,” Farr said.
Now for the Specifics
Halloween is the fifth highest day of the year for candle fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Farr suggests families choose alternatives to burning candles by using flashlights, battery-operated candles or electric lights. Use flashlights in pumpkins rather than candles and keep holiday decorations, such as dried cornstalks, away from heat and open flames. “Decorations are the first thing to ignite in more than 1,000 reported home fires each year on Halloween and more than half are started by candles,” Farr said. Each year, firefighters and paramedics deal with an increasing number of incidents on Halloween that can easily be prevented. Here are some tips to avoid frightful fire hazards:
Top Halloween Fire and Safety Tips

By:
Peter M. Rogers
|October 31, 2011
- Wear only costumes, fabric and accessories labeled flame-resistant or flame-retardant made with material that won't easily ignite if exposed to heat or flame and will extinguish more readily.
- Avoid baggy, billowing or over-sized costumes that are dangerous around lit candles or open flames.
- Avoid masks and over-the-head costumes which can impede vision or make removal difficult in the event of fire; use face paint or make-up instead.
- Be sure children know how to "stop, drop and roll" if their clothing catches fire to smother spreading flames. Have them practice stopping immediately, dropping to the ground, covering their face with hands, and rolling over to put the flames out.
- Tell kids to let you know right away if they see other kids playing with matches or lighters.
- Use only decorative lights that have been tested and certified for safety. Check lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Discard damaged sets.
- Don’t overload electrical outlets or extension cords with holiday lighting or special effects.
- Have working smoke alarms in the home and set up a home fire escape route.
- Keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes.