Whether you’re attending the spooktacular Halloween party at the Thunderbird Hall on Tuesday or participating in other Halloween festivities, keep the celebrations safe by following these tips from the Campbell River fire department:
Don’t play with fire!
“Decorations are the first thing to ignite in 900 reported home fires in Canada each year. Two of every five of these fires were started by a candle,” says Campbell River’s deputy chief Thomas Doherty. “Prevent these kinds of fires by keeping flammable materials away from heat sources and using battery operated candles rather than real flames.”
If you use a real candle inside jack-o-lanterns, use extreme caution.
- Always supervise children around lit candles and keep them away from flames.
- 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 extinguish flames.)
- Use long, fireplace-style matches or a utility lighter.
- Place jack-o-lanterns well away from anything that can burn and far enough out of the way of trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, walkways and yards.
- 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.
- Keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes.
- Make sure all home smoke alarms are working.
- If your little monsters are going to Halloween parties, make sure they know how they would get out in an emergency.
- If you’re lighting a recreational fire, keep it within the permitted size (no larger than 60 centimetres – 24 inches – across), and make sure the fire is fully extinguished when you wrap up the fun.
See and be seen when stepping out!
- Incorporate a flashlight, glow stick and reflectors into costumes.
- Walk against traffic, in well-lit areas, and use sidewalks and crosswalks.
- Make sure mask eyeholes are large enough.
- Minimize tripping hazard by avoiding long, trailing fabric for costumes.
- Report street light concerns.