SPRINGFIELD - Halloween is a fun time of the year for kids but can be scary if you don’t take the proper precautions.
When choosing a costume, make sure to stay away from long trailing fabric and always ensure the fabric is flame resistant. If your child is wearing a mask, the eye holes need to be large enough to provide an unrestricted view! Encourage children to consider face paint instead of a mask, as this permits them to watch and listen for passing cars or other hazards. When trick or treating, have your children carry a flash flight to not only light their way, but to keep them visible as well. You can also incorporate glow sticks in their costumes to increase visibility.
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“We want everyone to have a spooky but safe Halloween while keeping fire safety in mind,” said State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. “Candles are popular during Halloween; make sure they are kept at a safe distance from decorations and out of reach of kids and pets.”
According to the National Fire Protection Alliance (NFPA) more than one-third of residential fires were started by candles. Decorations were the first thing to ignite in 780 reported home fires each year from 2013-2017. More than two of every five fires occurred because decorations were too close to a heat source, such as a candle or hot equipment. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when decorating.
• Use battery powered candles if possible. If you are using a real candle inside a jack-o-lantern, make sure to 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.
• Keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes.
• Always check smoke alarms to make sure they are working.
• Keep and tell children to stay away from open flames including jack-0-latenrs with candles in them.
• Dried cornstalks, dried flowers and paper decorations catch fire easily, make sure to keep any open flames and heat sources, such has light bulbs, at a safe distance.
When driving on Halloween night or other nights trick-or-treaters could be out, be extra vigilant. Stay off cell phones and pay especially close attention to crosswalks and when driving on residential streets.
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