As Halloween creeps closer, keep fire safety in mind

Halloween is filled with spooky fun, but it also presents lurking fire hazards that can quickly turn the festive holiday into a truly scary one. According to the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®), between 2020 and 2024, an estimated annual average of 835 home structure fires began with decorations year-round, resulting in three deaths, 29 injuries, and $18 million in direct property damage. Nearly half (47 percent) of these fires occurred because the decorations were too close to a heat source; approximately one-third (33 percent) started with candles.

With these and associated risks in mind, NFPA encourages the public to take simple precautions that can help ensure a fire-safe holiday for people of all ages.

“From decorating with jack-o-lanterns to costume parties and trick-or-treating, Halloween includes a host of celebrations and activities that introduce the risk of fire,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA. “Fortunately, the vast majority of these risks can be prevented with a little added awareness and caution.”

NFPA offers these tips and guidelines for a fire-safe Halloween:

Decorations: Dried flowers, cornstalks, and crepe paper catch fire easily. Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters. Remember to keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes.

Candles: Only use battery-operated candles or glow sticks in jack-o-lanterns. If you choose to use real candles, be sure to place them well away from anything that can burn and far enough out of the way of trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, walkways, and yards.

Costumes: When choosing a costume, stay away from long trailing fabric. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough so they can see clearly.

Flashlights: Give children flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume.

Smoke Alarms: Make sure all smoke alarms in the home are working.

Visit the Halloween safety page for more resources. Download the free NFPA Halloween Fire Safety Bundle featuring Sparky the Fire Dog® for frightfully fun activities for kids and families. For this release and other announcements about NFPA initiatives, research, and resources, please visit the NFPA Press Room.

Founded in 1896, NFPA® is a global self-funded nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300?consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach, and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information, visit?nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at?nfpa.org/freeaccess.