Each fall thrills and scares are staples of Halloween, but firefighters want to remind citizens that the holiday can quickly turn scary for real if a fire breaks out.
“In most cases flammable Halloween costumes and decorations are the culprits of these fires,” said Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins, “This is why it is so important for residents to avoid using candles and open flames in any way as part of their holiday decor. It is far safer to use battery-powered lights in costumes and decorations.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association holiday decorations were the first thing to ignite in close to 800 home fires reported each year between 2015 and 2019. Those fires also caused an annual average of one civilian fire death, 26 civilian fire injuries and $13 million in direct property damages.
CRFD is asking everyone to consider the following tips as they prepare for Halloween:
- When choosing a costume, stay away from long trailing fabric. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eyeholes are large enough so he or she can see out.
- Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume.
- Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper catch fire easily. Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters.
- Use a battery-operated candle or glow-stick in jack-o-lanterns. If you use a real candle, use extreme caution. Make sure children are watched at all times when candles are lit. When lighting candles inside jack-o-lanterns, use long, fireplace-style matches or a utility lighter. Be sure to place lit pumpkins well away from anything that can burn and far enough out of the way of trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, walkways and yards.
- Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes.
- Make sure all smoke alarms in the home are working.
- Tell children to stay away from open flames including jack-o-lanterns with candles in them. Be sure they know how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire. (Have them practice, stopping immediately, dropping to the ground, covering their face with hands, and rolling over and over to put the flames out.)
- Extinguish candles by taking away oxygen from the wick. You can use a candlesnuffer to extinguish your candles or other non-combustible materials. Avoid the use of candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep.
- Keep candles at least 1 foot (30 centimeters) away from anything that can burn.
- Use candleholders that are sturdy, and won’t tip over easily.
- Put candleholders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface.
- Light candles carefully. Keep your hair and any loose clothing away from the flame.
- Don’t burn a candle all the way down — put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container.
- Never use a candle if oxygen is used in the home.
- Have flashlights and battery-powered lighting ready to use during a power outage. Never use candles.
Finally, NEVER ever leave a child alone in a room with a burning candle! Keep matches and lighters up high and out of children’s reach, in a locked cabinet.
The Columbia-Richland Fire Department hopes that everyone has a scary yet safe 2023 Halloween!
