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Be alert, stay safe on Halloween night |
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Written by PI Staff
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Wednesday, 31 October 2007 |
Trick or treating may be fun, but fire and police officials say folks should exercise caution. Elias Funez / Patterson Irrigator
Halloween is the fifth-worst day of the year for candle fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
The fire protection group offers the following tips to keep children and adults safe tonight:
- Buy costumes, wigs and props labeled as flame-resistant or flame-retardant. When creating a costume, choose material that won’t easily ignite in contact with heat or flame. Avoid billowing or long trailing features.
- Dried flowers, cornstalks and crépe paper catch fire easily. Keep them and other decorations away from open flames, light bulbs and heaters.
- Use flashlights or battery-operated lights to illuminate jack-o’-lanterns. If you use candles, be careful about where the pumpkins are placed and supervise children when candles are lit. When lighting candles inside jack-o’-lanterns, use long, fireplace-style matches and place lit pumpkins away from anything that could burn, including doorsteps, walkways and plants.
- Keep exits clear of decorations so that nothing blocks escape routes.
- Use flashlights instead of candles or torchlights to decorate yards. They are safer for trick-or-treaters, whose costumes may brush against the lighting.
- Parents should remind children to stay away from open flames. Be sure children know how to “stop, drop and roll” in case their clothing catches fire: Stop immediately, drop to the ground, covering face with hands, and roll over and over to extinguish flames.
- Instruct children who attend parties at others’ homes to locate the exits and plan how to get out in an emergency.
- Parents should give their children lightweight flashlights to carry for lighting or as part of their costume.
Safety first
Patterson Police Services suggests the following tips for families:
- Young trick-or-treaters should be supervised by adults.
- Costumes should be easily seen at night. Avoid dark colors.
- Do not trick-or-treat in unfamiliar areas, and always use sidewalks and crosswalks.
- Drivers should look out for trick-or-treaters in the street.
- Parents should inspect treats before children eat anything.
- Discard any treats that have a wrapper that’s not intact.
- Tell police about any treats that might have been intentionally altered to produce injury or illness.
- Halloween parties should have responsible adult supervision.
- Residents who provide treats should keep their porch lights on.
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