Children dressed in costumes excitedly running door to door to trick-or-treat, festive decorations like glowing jack-o-lanterns, paper ghosts and dried cornstalks adorning front porches – these are some of the classic hallmarks of Halloween that make the holiday special for kids and adults alike.

Top five Halloween fire safety tips:

• Use a battery-operated candle or glow stick in jack-o-lanterns;

• When choosing costumes, stay away from long trailing fabric;

• Teach children to stay away from open flames, including jack-o-lanterns with candles in them;

• 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; 

• Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume; and

• Remember to keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes. Make sure all smoke alarms are working.

Other Halloween safety tips that should be considered:

Walk Safely: 

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.

• Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.

• Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.

• Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.

• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.  Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.

• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

Trick-or-treat with an adult: 

• Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.

Keep costumes both creative and safe: 

• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.

• Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.

• When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.

Drive extra safe on Halloween:

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.

• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.

• Enter and exit driveways slowly and carefully.

• Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.

• Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.

• Trick-or-treat hours should be observed and be especially alert for kids during those hours.

Please review the link for additional information:  nfpa.org/halloween

• HalloweenSafetyTips.pdf