Washington State Fire Marshall - Jack-o-lanterns, witches and vampires are making their yearly appearance on the spookiest night of the year and the State Fire Marshal’s Office would like to remind everyone to make this a fire safe Halloween. “A few simple fire safety tricks can make Halloween a treat,” says State Fire Marshal Mike Matlick, “By taking the time to prepare, you can prevent fires and keep your family safe.”

The State Fire Marshal’s Office offers the following tips to keep your little ghouls and goblins safe this Halloween:

Costumes –

Purchase only costumes, wigs and props labeled flame-resistant or flame-retardant. When creating a costume, choose material that will not easily ignite if it comes into contact with heat or flame.

Provide children with lightweight flashlights to carry for lighting or as part of their costume.

Instruct children to stay away from open flames or other heat sources. Be sure children know to Stop, Drop and Roll in the event their clothing catches fire.

Decorations –

Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources.

Use flashlights or battery-operated candles as alternatives to lit candles or torch lights when decorating. Use extreme caution when decorating with candlelit Jack-o-lanterns, and supervise children at all times when candles are lit.

Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, ensuring nothing blocks escape routes.