Halloween Fire Safety

Around the house

• Test your smoke alarms.
• Practice your home escape plan. If you are hosting a party in your home, tell guests about a meeting place outside in the event of a fire.
• If going to a party, ask the host about their home escape plan.
• Keep exits clear of decorations. Make sure escape routes are unblocked.
• Keep decorations away from open flames and heat sources, like light bulbs and heaters.
• Instead of candles in carved pumpkins and other decorations, choose flameless alternatives. Battery-operated candles, flashlights, or glow sticks are safer.
• Never leave candles unattended and keep them well away from children, pets, and anything that can burn.
• Extension cords are for temporary use only. Use the right one for the job. There are special extension cords for outdoor use.
• Never overload electrical outlets by plugging in too many plugs – use an approved power bar. 
• Teach children their home address and phone number and how to call 9-1-1 in case of an emergency.

Costumes

• Choose or make Halloween costumes from materials labelled flame-resistant or flame-retardant. Avoid billowing or long-trailing features.
• Make sure that children know to “stop, drop and roll” if their clothing does catch fire. (Stop immediately, drop to the ground, covering your face with your hands, and roll over and over to extinguish flames).
• Provide children with lightweight battery-operated flashlights or glowsticks to carry for lighting.