PIKESVILLE, MD (October 22, 2014) – Jack-o-Lanterns are ushering in Halloween across Maryland and State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci recommends several fire and life safety tips to help everyone enjoy a safe Halloween. “Planning ahead can help make this and every Halloween fire safe. Taking simple fire and life safety precautions, like making sure fabrics for costumes and decorative materials are flame-resistant, can prevent fires and avoid needless burn injuries”.

The State Fire Marshal provides these sensible Halloween fire safety tips:

•Pick costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure costumes are short enough to prevent tripping and ensure masks don’t block vision.

•Consider adding reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat containers for greater visibility.

•Purchase only costumes, wigs and props labeled flame-resistant or flame-retardant. When creating a costume, choose materials that will not easily ignite if it comes in contact with heat or flame.

•Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or as part of their costume.

•Use flashlights or glow sticks as alternatives to candles or incandescent lights when decorating walkways or yards. They are much safer for trick-or-treaters whose costumes may brush against the decoration.

•Always supervise children as they go trick-or-treating.

•Remember to keep exits clear of decorations ensuring nothing blocks escape routes from the home.

•Instruct children to stay away from open flames or other heat sources. Be sure children know how to stop, drop and roll in the event their clothing catches on fire. (Stop immediately, drop to the ground, covering your face with your hands, roll over and over to extinguish the flames).

•If you are walking with pets, consider using a leash with reflective material attached.

•Instruct children who are attending parties at others’ homes to locate the exits and plan how they would get out if an emergency would occur.

•When decorating inside the home, consider using battery operated candles instead of burning regular candles to help eliminate the potential of a fire occurring.

• Do not overload electrical outlets and extension cords. Excessive use of extension cords may cause overheating and also become trip hazards.

•Replace frayed, cracked or otherwise damaged electrical cords.

•Don’t overload electrical circuits.

The State Fire Marshal offers one additional tip that could well be the most important. “Make sure your home is equipped with working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. These devices are some of the most effective fire safety tools in preventing injury or death from fire and carbon monoxide,” according to State Fire Marshal Geraci.

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The Office of the State Fire Marshal is an agency of the Department of State Police dedicated to helping protect citizens from fire and explosion through a comprehensive program of education, inspection, investigation and fire protection engineering. For more information on fire safety call 1-800-525-3124, log onto our website at: www.mdsp.org/firemarshal and/or http://facebook.com/MarylandStateFireMarshal.
Media contact: Bruce D. Bouch, Deputy State Fire Marshal; 443-324-6876