Halloween fire safety

October 25, 2016

News Release
For Immediate Release 

 

Saanich, BC – Halloween is a fun and spooky time of year for kids. The Saanich Fire Department is offering a few safety tips to help make trick-or-treating safe for your little monsters: 

  • Children should always go trick-or-treating with a responsible adult. 

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

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

  • Be sure your children understand the importance of avoiding eating their treats until an adult has properly examined them.

  • Keep flammable decorations away from heat sources, such as candles, heaters, and stoves. Hay, corn stalks, and dry flowers are highly flammable. 

  • Light jack-o’-lanterns with a battery-powered light – NEVER use candles! 

  • Remember fireworks safety – never point or throw fireworks at anyone or anything, never hold fireworks in your hand while lighting them and never attempt to re-light or move fireworks that fail to go off. 

  • Bonfires and fireworks are only allowed on October 31 between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Both require a permit from the Saanich Fire Department.

“Halloween is a great time for the young, and the young-at-heart," said Captain Jerry Tomljenovic. "With darkness descending shortly after 5 p.m., we strongly encourage children to wear bright, flame resistant, reflective costumes. We all love a good scare on Halloween, but not at the expense of children’s safety.”

Contact Saanich Fire Department for more Halloween safety tips at 250-475-5500 or visit http://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety.html

 

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Media Contact:
Jerry Tomljenovic, Public Education Officer
Saanich Fire Department
250-475-5578