With the spooky season well and truly in full swing, Halloween is a time for fun, celebrations, and lots of treats. From planning your scary costume, to buying spooky decorations, to curling up on the sofa with your favourite horror film, it’s a season so many people enjoy. However amongst all the fun and festivities, many don’t stop to consider the fire hazards the Halloween season poses. 

With that in mind, we’ve compiled four Halloween fire safety tips to help prevent any frightening mishaps and ensure that your Halloween celebrations are both enjoyable and safe. Let’s dive right in.

Be careful when choosing your costume

Halloween costumes by design tend to be incredibly impractical. Flowing robes and draping sleeves may look exciting, but they make it all too easy to brush by a naked flame unnoticed. This combined with hyperactive young children, and perhaps not being the most spatially aware, can be a recipe for disaster. 

The often flammable nature of fancy dress costumes can cause them to ignite rapidly upon contact with a naked flame. Although flammability testing has improved in recent years, it still leaves a lot to be desired. 

Our Halloween fire safety tip: always check the label and ensure that the materials of your costume are fire resistant and comply with all UK safety standards. Try and opt for a simply designed costume that has minimal trains of fabric to avoid anything catching fire.

Be mindful of your decor

In today’s costly times, it’s natural for people to frantically dig around their loft to try and find last year’s Halloween decorations instead of buying new. However, if you’re using plug in decorations, damaged and fraying wires pose a serious issue. If you’re planning to host a party, you may be using multiple plug in decorations to really create a spooky atmosphere. However, this can lead to overloaded sockets or extension cables which is a big fire hazard.

Dangling decorations are also Halloween staples; from doorway curtains to banners and balloons. Hang these decorations near naked sources of heat, such as candles, light bulbs, and radiators and you’re looking at a decor disaster.

Our Halloween fire safety tip: be sure to check plug in decorations for fraying and damaged wires and don’t plug these in if you spot any of these issues. Make sure you’re also not overloading electrical outlets or extension cords if you’re plugging in multiple light up decorations. As for hanging decorations, keep these away from sources of heat and keep doorways and exits clear so people can easily exit in the event of an emergency.

Don’t leave candles unattended

We understand candles provide an eerie ambience as well as a comforting feel to your home during the Halloween season, but it’s no secret they are also a huge fire hazard, especially when left unattended. It’s very easy to assume that putting your candles inside a carved pumpkin reduces the risk of an accidental fire. However, it only takes one knock from an excited child to result in a very dangerous situation, especially if your pumpkin is left by overhanging decorations or curtains. 

Our Halloween fire safety tip: opt for battery powered candles to decorate your home. They still create an eerie atmosphere, but they dramatically reduce the danger of a fire breaking out. You could also choose to have an LED light that projects ghostly effects on your walls for an even more hair-raising ambience. 

Keep children away from fireworks

Fireworks aren’t just saved for Bonfire Night – most retailers have fireworks on sale in mid-October and many people choose to incorporate fireworks and sparklers as part of their Halloween celebrations. Whilst they provide a nighttime spectacle, one errant firework can cause huge damage. In fact, the Children’s Burn Trust has found that over 550 children under the age of 16 are taken to A&E with injuries in the four weeks surrounding Halloween and Bonfire Night alone. 

Our Halloween fire safety tip: if you’re wanting to incorporate fireworks to your celebrations, opt for attending an organised display instead as they are lit and operated in a safe and controlled environment, minimising any potential fire risks.

What are some other Halloween fire safety tips to keep in mind?

In addition to the Halloween fire safety tips we’ve shared above, there are a few more precautions you can take to ensure a safe but spooky Halloween celebration such as:

• Test your smoke alarms – a simple but effective way to ensure fire safety at Halloween celebrations is to test your smoke alarm to make sure it has a fully charged battery and it’s working as it should.
• Teach children about fire safety – educating young children about the dangers of open flames can help them to learn to stay away and avoid a fire occurring.
• Keep all exits clear – it’s important to make sure exits are clear of decorations and other objects so guests can quickly evacuate in the event of an emergency.

Want more Halloween fire safety tips?

Whether you’re planning to host a spine-chilling party, or you’re simply welcoming trick or treaters to your home, keeping fire safety at Halloween at the forefront of your celebrations can make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.

If you’d like to learn more Halloween fire safety tips, or to find out more about any of our services and products, get in touch with us today. Here at Pyrotec, we’re proud to supply a wide range of fire safety equipment including fire alarms, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, and so much more. We operate throughout Brighton, Eastbourne, Crawly, and beyond, so don’t hesitate to speak to one of our experts today to learn how we can help you maximise fire safety in your property.

Halloween fire safety FAQs

Why is fire safety important during Halloween?

Halloween decorations, costumes, and celebrations often involve fire hazards such as candles, open flames, and electrical decorations, which can increase the risk of fires. It’s important to be mindful of fire safety during this season to ensure everyone enjoys a safe celebration.

What should I do in case of a fire emergency?

Have a fire safety plan in place, including escape routes, and make sure all family members know what to do in the event of a fire. Test your smoke alarms before your Halloween celebrations to ensure they are working properly.

What should I do if a costume catches on fire?

If a piece of clothing catches fire, remember the stop, drop, and roll technique: stop moving, drop to the ground, and roll to smother the flames. Call your local fire service immediately and try to stay calm to minimise panic.