PRACTICE FIRE SAFETY THIS OCTOBER
When many people think of October, they think of jack-o-lanterns and ghosts, candy and costumes. Not only is the “spookiest” day of the year in October, but it’s also Fire Prevention Month. In order to keep your holiday safe and fun, check out these fire safety tips!
FLAMING HOT FACTS
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) compiled a few interesting facts about Halloween and fire safety. They say that in an estimated 900 reported home fires per year, decorations were the first items ignited in the blazes, nearly half of these fires happening as a result of decorations being too close to a heat source. A stunning 41% of these fires began with candles, with 20% of them starting in the living/family room or den.
SPOOKY SAFETY SOLUTIONS
Those are some scary facts, but they shouldn’t spook you from celebrating Halloween! Not in the slightest! They should, however, spook you into considering safer alternatives for your holiday.
- Those dried cornstalks you have by the creepy scarecrow on your porch? Those are highly combustible. Make sure they are far away from heat sources.
- Candles do give jack-o-lanterns that haunted, ghost-like effect on the inside, but they obviously use an open flame. Instead, try opting for a flashlight or battery-operated candle instead.
- Planning an awesome party for Halloween night? That crepe paper is going to look spectacular, but it can sometimes fall down. Make sure that it isn’t near any lights, so if it does fall it doesn’t land on scorching light bulbs!
- Halloween costumes, while cool-looking and fashionable as some of them may be, can be fire hazards themselves for many reasons. Make sure your costumes, accessories and props are labeled as flame-retardant. Also, beware of long, flowing fabric that can catch fire if it comes in contact with an open flame.
- With your decorations all laid out, ensure that none of them are blocking any exits in case of an emergency.
- Above all else, make sure your smoke alarms are all in working order. If they aren’t, replace the batteries. Almost 67% of home fire deaths resulted from fires where smoke alarms weren’t working or nonexistent.
Have your own Halloween fire safety tips? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Be sure to comment below!
