A Bewitching Guide to Hauntingly Good Fire Safety this Halloween

9/20/2023 (Permalink)

This Halloween, let's keep the magic alive while minimizing fire hazard nightmares.

Halloween is the time when ghosts, goblins, and witches come out to play, but it's no time to gamble with fire safety. As you prepare for a spooktacular Halloween filled with tricks and treats, let's brew up a cauldron of fire safety tips to keep your haunted home and family safe. And if you ever find your home damaged by a fiery fright, don't forget to summon SERVPRO for fire damage restoration services. These fire safety tips are from the Washington State Patrol and the National Fire Protection Agency.

1. Enchanting Costume Choices

When picking out costumes for your little monsters, go for ones made from "flame-resistant" or "flame-retardant" materials. These magical fabrics will resist burning and disappear in a puff of smoke if they catch fire. Steer clear of costumes with long, flowing fabric – they're more trouble than they're worth and could turn into a real hot mess.

2. Illuminate the Night Without a Spell

For some eerie ambiance, give your trick-or-treaters flashlights or enchanting glow sticks. These will light up the night and make your little witches and wizards visible to passing spirits. If their costumes include masks, make sure they've got eyes big enough to see through – we don't want any little monsters stumbling around in the dark!

3. Cast Fire Safety Spells on Decorations

Decorations are the spellbinding secret to a truly magical Halloween. However, beware of their fiery tricks. Here's how to keep things bewitchingly safe:

• Illuminate your jack-o'-lanterns with mystical glow sticks or battery-operated candles.
• Keep your Halloween decorations far away from open flames and heat sources like wickedly hot light bulbs and heaters.
• If you must use real candles in your decorations, watch over them like a hawk and extinguish them before you step away.

4. Know Your Escape Plan - It's a Lifesaver

Whether you're throwing a ghostly gathering or trick-or-treating in a new, unfamiliar neighborhood, knowing your escape plan is like having a trusty spellbook. Be aware of exit routes, fire extinguisher locations, and emergency procedures in any new or eerie surroundings.

5. Unearth the Alarming Stats

To put the spook into perspective, here are some chilling statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

• From 2015–2019, an average of 790 home structure fires began with decorations each year.
• These fires caused one civilian fire death, 26 civilian fire injuries, and $13 million in property damage each year.
• Over 44% of these fires started because decorations got too close with heat sources like candles.
• More than a third (35%) of these fires were ignited by candles.

This Halloween, let's keep the magic alive while minimizing fire hazard nightmares. And remember, SERVPRO is here to lend a hand if a fire incident sends shivers down your spine. Have a fang-tastic, spellbinding, and hauntingly safe Halloween!