Fire Service Urges Residents to Stay Safe This Halloween

As Halloween celebrations get underway, the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service is reminding residents to enjoy the festivities safely and avoid any real-life scares this spooky season.

Whether heading to a Halloween party or taking children trick-or-treating, the Service is urging everyone to take extra care with costumes and decorations, which can pose hidden fire risks.

Many Halloween costumes are not subject to the same fire safety regulations as everyday clothing and can be made from highly flammable materials. If they come into contact with a naked flame, such as a candle or open fire, they can catch fire in seconds.

Halloween is a great time for families and communities to have fun together, but the Service wants to make sure that fun doesn’t turn into tragedy. Always check costume labels for fire resistance and keep well away from candles, pumpkins, and open flames. Burns and scalds can last a lifetime — a few simple precautions can make all the difference.

The Fire and Rescue Service has issued the following safety advice for anyone dressing up this Halloween:
• Check labels on costumes for fire resistance and a registered trademark.
• Avoid cheap or counterfeit products, which may burn quickly if ignited.
• Keep costumes and decorations away from naked flames.
• If clothing catches fire, remember: Stop, Drop, and Roll to extinguish the flames.
• In an emergency: Cool, Call, Cover — cool any burns with plenty of water, call for medical help, and cover the area with a clean, non-fluffy cloth.

Residents are also reminded to take care when using candles or open flames in decorations and to consider using battery-operated LED alternatives.

A little care can help make sure everyone’s Halloween is memorable for all the right reasons.