10 tricks to mastering a fire-safe Halloween

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- As Halloween approaches, the excitement of costumes, decorations, and trick-or-treating can sometimes overshadow important safety precautions. Fire hazards are a real concern during this festive season. To ensure your family has a fun and fire-safe Halloween, the American Red Cross has compiled a list of 10 essential tricks that can help prevent potential accidents. From costume choices to fire escape plans, follow these simple steps to keep the spooky spirit alive without compromising safety!

1. Make sure your children are wearing costumes that allow them to see properly! Large eye holes and comfortable masks should be the standard.
2. Keep decorations away from exits, entrances, or kitchen stoves.
3. Keep candles away from curtains or other easily flammable items. In fact, it is much safer to utilize LED lights in pumpkins and other decorations than a real-life candle.
4. Check your light fixtures or bulbs for any cracked glass, exposed wires, or loose connections.
5. Buy costumes with heat-resistant or fire-proof material. Avoid long trains or large fabric components that may easily catch on fire.
6. Avoid keeping candle-lit decorations on the lawn. Large obstacles should also be removed from the lawn to provide ample area for escapes.
7. Teach your kids the “stop, drop and roll” method and to stay away from open flames, especially with huge costumes.
8. Drive around the neighborhood to look for potential fire hazards before your children to trick-or-treating. For example, lots of candles on a lawn, unprotected light bulbs, etc.
9. Create a “fire escape plan” in case of an emergency. You can use this template to draft an effective one: https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/atg/PDF_s/Preparedness___Disaster_Recovery/Disaster_Preparedness/Home_Fire/Home_Fire_Escape_Plan.pdf
10. Always make sure an adult accompanies your kids when Trick-or-Treating! It is crucial to be there in case of any emergency - fires can start anywhere and at any time. Also ensure they have proper communication tools in case of separation.

Keep your family fire safe this Halloween! To learn more about fire safety and donate to disasters, visit redcross.org for more information.