The Albuquerque Police Department isn’t the only city entity giving Halloween safety advice. Albuquerque Fire Rescue has its own tips when it comes to spooky celebrations.
While many people think of scares and thrills this time of year, it can also be dangerous. Popular Halloween decorations and costumes can come with a fire hazard. According to a release from AFR, from 2011-15, fire departments in the United States responded to an estimated average of 840 home fires annually the began with decorations. These fires caused an average of two deaths, 36 injuries and $11.4 million in property damage per year. Nearly half of the fires were caused by decorations being too close to a heat source, such as a candle.
AFR offers advice in an effort to avoid seasonal hazards:
- Candles: Refrain from having an open flame. Use battery-operated candles or glow sticks in your jack-o-lanterns.
- Costumes: Stay away from long or flowing fabric, and skip extraneous costume pieces.
- Decorations: Avoid flammable decorations including dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper. Keep decorations away from open flames and other heat sources, including light bulbs and heaters.
- Exits: Remember to keep all decorations away from doors so that they are not blocking any exits or escape routes.
- Smoke alarms: Make sure all of your smoke alarms are working and up to date.
- Visibility: Provide flashlights to children or have them carry glow sticks as part of their costumes. Make sure if a child is wearing a mask that the eye holes are large enough to see out of them.
