Preparing for a Safe Halloween Holiday Season

Ah yes, October 1st is here, we've had our first big storm of the season, and you can most definitely feel fall in the air.  You've probably noticed the stores have been full of seasonal decorations and Halloween costumes for a few weeks now, especially if you're a parent of a little one that points and begs for you to take them through the costume section when you make a quick stop for groceries.  So for those of you that are decorating your home, and preparing your kids' costumes, we thought now would be the perfect time to talk about a few simple things you can do to make for a safe Halloween season.

Decorating

Halloween decorations don't quite put the ultimate test to the electrical power grid like Christmas does, but that doesn't stop many of you from putting up lights and making your home feel scary in other ways.  Let's talk about lights for a second, as orange colored lights are definitely becoming more popular this time of year.  First off, never use lights that are damaged, if you can see bare wires, or even if the insulation is cracking or showing discoloration, it's time to replace those lights.  With lights come extension cords, because those electrical outlets are never close enough to where you need your lights to go.  Use only good quality extension cords that are the appropriate length for the task at hand.  Light duty cords offer poor protection against a problem in the electrical circuit, and coiling up the excess cord can generate heat where you don't want it to be generated.  Never run a cord through doorways, under rugs, or use staples to attach them to walls or ceilings, as all of these can damage a cord enough to start a fire with it.  

Even if you aren't into making your property look like a haunted house, candles are a popular, and simple, way to make your home feel more like fall, and it seems the stores are full of pumpkin scented things you can burn this time of year.  First off, there are so many battery operated "candles" that you can choose instead, but if you like the ambiance of a real candle we ask that you please use them in a safe location.  Keep candles away from things that can burn, this means at least three feet away from drapes, curtains, and furniture.  Always use candles on a solid surface, and put them in a holder that won't tip over easily.  Finally, be sure and blow that pumpkin scented goodness out before you leave the room.  

What about corn stalks, hay bales, and all the rest of the stuff, it's all pretty harmless right?  Yes and no, like anything - it's the how you use it that makes a difference.  With any sort of combustible decorative material you want to keep them away from things that can get hot like fire places, stoves, kitchen appliances, and light fixtures.  It's also really important that you keep exit paths and doors clear and accessible at all times.  

Costumes

    

Volunteer Firefighter Robert Bade hands out glowsticks to kids on Halloween as part of our annual "Be seen at Halloween" safety campaign. 

Halloween night itself is still weeks away, but if you are preparing the costumes for your family now we hope that you consider a few very important safety points.  First is that it's all about being seen to be safe on Halloween.  With the ultimate kid's candy holiday falling on a work night again this year, there will be a fair mix of drivers and trick or treaters on the roads, reflective materials on the costumes, carrying bright flashlights, or even a simple glow stick can make the difference in being seen by a driver or not.  A costume that affords some visibility for your child is also important, make sure they can see out of their masks and get ups, so they too can be on the lookout for danger as they rush from place to place for the sugary gold.   Costumes should also be made out of a material that is flame resistant, you should avoid plastics and synthetic materials that can easily burn.  Finally, talk to your littlest ones and make sure everyone knows how to "stop, drop, and roll".  It's a simple thing that they can practice at home to be ready if something bad does happen and their costume catches fire.

All of this may seem silly to you, but we hope that you consider these points while you prepare for the season.  If you have questions about the fire safety of your home you can always call us at 503-992-3240 and we would be happy to help you.