As families prepare for what has become an increasingly popular holiday, CAL FIRE would like to remind everyone to take a few simple safety precautions in order to ensure a fun and safe Halloween.

For kids, Halloween is an exciting holiday, but if precautions are not taken, scary things can happen. Candle decorations combined with flowing costumes create an increased risk of fire. Candle fires are one of the leading causes of home fires and occur more frequently on Halloween according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

CAL FIRE urges the public to follow these tips for a safe Halloween:

Trick-or-treating

· Children should always go trick-or-treating with a responsible adult

· Provide children with flashlights or glow sticks to carry for lighting and visibility

· Review how to cross a street with your child. Look left, right, and left again to be sure no cars are approaching before crossing the street

· Remind children to stay together as a group when walking from house to house

Costumes

· Purchase costumes made of flame resistant or flame retardant material. Fire resistant does not mean fireproof!

· Apply reflective tape to Halloween costumes

· Masks can obstruct vision – consider using make-up instead

· Avoid loose, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts

· Keep hemlines short enough to prevent tripping

Decorations

· Keep decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs and heaters

· Keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes

· Remove objects from the yard that could present a tripping hazard (garden tools, hoses, etc.)

Remember to closely inspect all candy before allowing children to eat it, discarding any unwrapped treats from a stranger. If in doubt, throw it out!

CAL FIRE wishes everyone a safe and fun Halloween! For more Halloween safety ideas or other fire safety tips, please visit our web site at www.fire.ca.gov.