Illinois e-News Release


For Immediate Release

Date: October 28, 2024

 

Contact: JC Fultz

217-685-2041

[email protected]


Be Halloween Safe: Keep the Holiday Spooky and Fire Free

From 2018–2022 there was an average of 835 home structure fires that began with decorations per year. 

Springfield, Ill- Halloween is a fun, spooky and exciting time for kids and adults as they scour for that perfect costume and people add spooky decorations to their homes. If you don’t keep fire safety in mind, Halloween and fall decoration can add an increased fire danger to your home that could create a real scary situation. 

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), each year from 2017 to 2019, an estimated average of 9,200 fires were reported to fire departments in the United States over a 3-day period around Halloween. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports from 2018–2022 there was an average of 835 home structure fires that began with decorations per year. These fires caused an annual average of 3 civilian fire deaths, 30 civilian fire injuries, and $14 million in direct property damage. Nearly half (47%) of these fires occurred because the decorations were too close to a heat source, such as a candle or hot equipment and approximately one-third (32%) of these fires were started by candles.

“Halloween is an exciting time for kids as they head our looking for all the tasty goodies, but before hitting the neighborhood, make sure you talk to your little ghosts about fire safety,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera. “Explain and guide your trick-or-treaters around any open flames or heating sources that could cause issues with their costumes. Also, make sure you have a costume that doesn’t have long trailing fabric to reduce trip hazards and masks that have good visibility! Finally, make sure your little ghouls have reflective materials on their costumes or are carry a flashlight so motorists can see them.”

Taking a few simple steps will help to create a spooky season that doesn’t turn into a scary situation.


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