Cal Fire Offers Halloween Safety Tips

With Halloween here, Cal Fire—which protects state-owned lands and unincorporated areas in San Diego County—offered some tips to ensure a fun day Monday.

According to the National Fire Protection Agency, candle fires are among the leading causes of home fires and occur more frequently on Halloween.

Candle decorations combined with flowing costumes could create an increased risk for fire, Cal Fire said.

Fire officials said adults and children should look left, right, then left again before crossing a street while trick-or-treating. Kids should stay together, bring a flashlight or glow stick and always trick-or-treat with an adult.

Cal Fire warned that fire resistant does not mean fireproof, and when it comes to costumes, flame resistant or flame retardant is the way to go, and reflective tape should be applied to costumes. Billowing skirts and baggy sleeves should be avoided to preclude tripping and snagging. Masks could obstruct vision, so makeup should be used instead.

Residents expecting trick-or-treaters should remove sharp or potentially hazardous objects from yards, use battery-powered lights in jack-o-lanterns instead of candles, and keep all corn stalks and other seasonal items away from heat sources, Cal Fire said. Drivers should maintain a sharp lookout for trick- or-treaters.

Cal Fire also advised throwing out any unwrapped treats from a stranger and closely inspecting all treats before kids are allowed to dig in.

-City News Service