Kingston Fire & Rescue Offers Advice to Ensure a Safe Halloween

Published on: 2019/10/30 - in News

With Halloween just a day away, Kingston Fire & Rescue is offering some fire prevention advice to ensure a fun and safe October 31.

“Halloween is a fun time of year, that all ages look forward to,” said KFR’s Chief Fire Prevention Officer Ted Posadowski in a release.  “We’ve prepared a list of tips that we ask all residents to take a few minutes to review and then act upon. We wish all Kingstonians a fun and safe Halloween.”

Ensuring safety at home includes using battery-operated lights or glow sticks in decorative paper bags or jack-o-lanterns – never use candles, if at all possible.  If you do use a candle, KFR suggest using a tea light in a non-combustible holder and never leave it unattended. Pumpkins with candles should be placed on sturdy tables or surfaces that are not in an area where it could come in contact with costumes, curtains or other combustible materials. Children and pets should also be kept away from candles.  And if you put up holiday lighting, be certain to not overload electrical outlets and always keep exit doors unobstructed.

For trick or treaters – both kids and those young at heart – avoid loose clothing, to reduce the chance of tripping and to minimize the risk of contact with candles, and try to wear a costume that is both fire retardant and reflective.

Children should be taught to ‘STOP, DROP and ROLL’ should their clothing catch fire with KFR explaining: “STOP immediately, DROP to the ground and cover face, and ROLL over and over to extinguish the flames.”  Kids going out on Halloween should be given a flashlight with fresh batteries or glow sticks and be reminded about traffic safety rules. Drivers should also be extra careful on Halloween.

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Release source: City of Kingston
Photo: PixaBay (cc)