This Halloween, children need to be careful to purchase costumes that are not only creative , but also safe. Halloween costumes can be a major fire hazard if the right precautions aren't taken.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, Halloween is the fifth highest day of the year for candle fires. Only Christmas, Christmas Eve, New Year's Day and New Year's Eve average more fires each year.
Fire resistant costumes can be difficult to find, so parents should look for costumes that are close fitting and have minimal amounts of loose fabric.
Jeff Wiseman is the marketing director for Costumecraze, a business specializing in selling and renting costumes. Parents need to pay special attention to buy their children safe costumes, he said.
"Purchase costumes without a lot of flow to them," he said. "Especially for little children."
He said the Hannah Montana costume has been the biggest seller this season. However, the blonde wig may be hazardous by catching on fire if children wearing it come near an open flame. Wiseman recommended parents look for open flames leading up to people's homes and warn their children of possible danger.
Kerry Evans, Lehi City's fire marshall, said most fires start inside people's homes. He said open flames near combustibles create most of the problems each year.
He recommends parents purchase costumes labeled fire-resistant because flame-retardant material is so expensive.
Most problems occur because careless parents allow their little children to play with matches, he said.
"Kids trying to light pumpkins and candles create the most problems," Evans said.
Even though fire is a legitimate concern this Halloween, people need to pay as much attention to standard safety precautions, he said.
"Kids should carry a flashlight or wear a light stick around their necks," Evans said.
How to keep this Halloween free of fires:
* Purchase flame-resistant costumes;
* Keep dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper away from open flames;
* Use flashlights to illuminate Jack-O-Lanterns;
* Teach your children basic fire safety: stop, drop and roll.
Source: National Fire Protection Association
Copyright Brigham Young University 31 Oct 2007
