Fire Service shares advice to help residents creep it real this Halloween
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is sharing safety advice to keep residents in Essex safe this Halloween – to ensure a “gourd” night out for all.
The Service wants residents to stay safe and “lift your spirits” during the spooky season and will be sharing safety advice in the run up to 31 October.
Will Newman, Head of Prevention, said: "Whether you're hosting, heading out or staying in we want everyone to "creep it real" and have a safe and spooktacular time this Halloween.
“Our biggest safety advice is to swap your traditional candles for LED candles, they’re much safer. You can trick or treat yo’ self to some LED candles in most supermarkets, there is plenty of time to swap your candles before Halloween.
“Not only will LED candles reduce the risk of a fire in your home if you’re decorating your house, but they can help to protect children when they are trick or treating and walking past pumpkins and decorations.
"Children's fancy dress costumes can be highly flammable and as they are classed as toys, they don't always need to meet the same fire safety guidelines as clothes - please make sure to check the labels inside the costume.
“Over the years, we have seen devastating cases where children have been seriously injured when their costumes have set alight and we want to prevent further incidents.
If you are using wax candles at home instead of LED candles, keep them away from decorations and never leave them unattended.
Will said: “If you need to leave the room, even if only for a moment, blow candles out. Keep children well away from candles and don’t let them carry lit candles or lanterns with real candles in them.
“If you’re making your own costumes this year, avoid using any flammable materials to make home-made costumes. Be especially careful about using bin liners as capes.”
Wishing you all a “Happy and Safe Howl-oween. Stay Safe and Stay Gourd-geous.”
For more home fire safety advice, visit: www.essex-fire.gov.uk/staysafe
Page last updated 22 October, 2021