A message from the State Fire Marshal’s Office
Information released by SFMO
Creative costumes, scary decorations, and delicious treats- oh my!
As Halloween creeps up on us, the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) offers these tips and recommendations to ensure your holiday is spooktacular:
- Purchase or make costumes that are made of “flame resistant” or “flame retardant” materials. This means they will resist burning and extinguish quickly if they are ignited.
- Avoid costumes with billowing or long-trailing fabric to avoid tripping and fire ignition hazards.
- Provide children with flashlights or glow sticks so that they are more easily seen when trick-or-treating. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough that they can see out of them.
- Keep decorations like cornstalks and leaves away from open flames and other heat sources. If possible, use battery-operated lights instead of candles for pumpkins. If you choose to use candle decorations, keep them attended at all times and extinguish them if you leave the room.
- Be familiar with exits, fire extinguisher locations, and emergency evacuation plans when you are celebrating at a party or are in a new environment.
Your Halloween can be safe and memorable if you implement these tips. For more information on holiday fire safety and prevention, visit the SFMO’s website at http://www.wsp.wa.gov/prevention-data-collection/ or follow us on Twitter @wafiremarshal.
