October 23, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2006-47) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org HALLOWEEN SAFETY Planning ahead can help make this Halloween a fire-safe one. Taking simple fire safety precautions, like making sure fabrics for costumes and decorative materials are flame-resistant, can prevent fires. During 1999-2002, decorations for special events accounted for an estimated 1,100 reported home structure fires per year, the majority involving candles as the heat source, and causing six civilian deaths and $16 million in direct property damage per year. Source: NFPA Costumes • When purchasing costumes, masks, beards and wigs, look for flame- resistant fabrics such as nylon or polyester, or look for the label "Flame Resistant." Flame-resistant fabrics will resist burning and should extinguish quickly. To minimize the risk of contact with candles and other fire sources, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts. • Purchase or make costumes that are light, bright and clearly visible to motorists. • For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car's headlights. Bags or sacks also should be light colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle and sporting goods stores. • Children should carry flashlights to see and be seen. • Costumes should fit well and not drag on the ground to guard against trips and falls. • Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes. Oversized high heels are not a good idea. • Tie hats and scarves securely to prevent them from slipping over children's eyes and obstructing vision. • If your child wears a mask, make sure it fits securely, provides adequate ventilation, and has eye holes large enough to allow full vision. • Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be made of soft, flexible materials. • Warn children not to eat any treats before an adult has examined them carefully for evidence of tampering. • Carefully examine any toys or novelty items received by trick-or- treaters under three years of age. Do not allow young children to have any items that are small enough to present a choking hazard or that have small parts or components that could separate during use and present a choking hazard. Decorations • Keep candles and jack-o'-lanterns away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame. • Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs, heaters, etc. • Remove obstacles from lawns, steps and porches when expecting trick- or- treaters. • Indoors, keep candles and jack-o'-lanterns away from curtains, decorations and other combustibles that could be ignited. Do not leave burning candles unattended. • Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory. Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Discard damaged sets. • Don't overload extension cords. Pedestrian Safety: Young children should always be accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible child. All children should WALK, not run from house to house and use the sidewalk if available, rather than walk in the street. Children should be cautioned against running out from between parked cars, or across lawns and yards where ornaments, furniture, or clotheslines present dangers. Choosing Safe Houses: Children should go only to homes where the residents are known and have outside lights on as a sign of welcome. • Children should not enter homes or apartments unless they are accompanied by an adult. • People expecting trick-or-treaters should remove anything that could be an obstacle from lawns, steps and porches. Candlelit jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame. Indoor jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from curtains, decorations, and other furnishings that could be ignited. ###