Halloween fire safety: Happy Halloween!

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) encourages everyone to take these simple precautions to stay safe from accidental fire without sacrificing the fun:

Costumes: Avoid fabric that billows or trails behind you, as these can easily ignite. Avoid loosely woven fabrics like linen and cotton, which can be very flammable.

Decorations: Many common decorations like cornstalks, crepe paper, and dried flowers are very flammable. Keep these and similar decorations far away from any open flames or heat sources.

When decorating, ensure that nothing is blocking any escape routes.

Candles: Using candles as decoration can be risky if not done correctly. Keep them in a well- attended area out of the path of potential trick-or-treaters. Remind children of the dangers of open flames, and make sure they are supervised at all times when candles are lit. Extinguish candles before leaving an area.

Jack-o-lanterns: Glow sticks or electric candles are the safest choice when it comes to lighting up your jack-o-lantern, but if you choose to use a real candle, do so with extreme caution.

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Trick-or-treating safety: Give children flashlights or glowsticks for lighting, these can even be incorporated into the costume. If your child has a mask, ensure the eye holes are large enough for them to see clearly.

The following are courtesy of AAA:

Ditch the distractions. Pedestrians can be distracted by cell phones as well as motorists.

Trick-or-treat together. AAA recommends that parents accompany young trick-or-treaters at least until the age of 12.

Review trick-or-treating precautions. Plan and discuss the route your trick-or-treaters will follow. Teach children to stop only at well-lit houses and to never enter a stranger’s home or garage.

Always walk on sidewalks, if available.

Cross streets only at the corner.

For motorists:

Drive at least 5 mph below the posted speed limit.

Look for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs. This particularly applies during popular trick-or-treating hours, from 5:30 — 9 p.m.

Designate a sober driver in advance. Never ride with a driver who has been drinking.

Do not let impaired guests drive.