JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
While Halloween is a time for festive celebrations, it also presents significant fire safety hazards. As the holiday approaches, taking simple precautions can help ensure a safe and fun event for everyone. To ensure the holiday remains fire-safe, simple preventative measures should be taken as the day approaches.
Home fires caused by decorations
- From 2018 to 2022, there were an annual average of 835 home structure fires that began with decorations per year. These fires caused an annual average of three civilian fire deaths, 30 civilian fire injuries, and $14 million in direct property damage.
- Nearly half (47%) of these fires occurred because the decorations were too close to a heat source, such as candles or hot equipment.
- Approximately one-third (32%) of these fires were started by candles.
Safety Tips
- Use a battery-operated candle or glow-stick in jack-o-lanterns. If you use a real candle, use extreme caution. Make sure children are always watched when candles are lit. When lighting candles inside jack-o-lanterns, 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
- When choosing costumes, stay away from long trailing fabric.
- Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume.
- 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 Halloween decorations away from open flames and other heat sources, such as light bulbs and heaters.
- Remember to keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes. Make sure all smoke alarms are working.
Halloween can be a fun and spooky time of year for kids. Make trick-or-treating safe for your little monsters with a few easy safety tips.
To learn more about Halloween safety, visit the National Fire Protection Association’s website at www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/halloween or contact the Joint Base San Antonio Fire Prevention Offices at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston at 210-221-1804, at JBSA-Lackland at 210-671-2921 or at JBSA-Randolph at 210-652-6915.