Play it safe on Halloween

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The scariest thing about Halloween is the risk involved in observing many of its customs — costumes that can inhibit movement and vision, candlelit decorations that pose a fire risk, trick-or-treating excursions that send small ghosts and goblins roaming sidewalks and crossing city streets — and we urge all Denton County residents to be on high alert this week.

Halloween may not officially arrive until Friday, but thanks to the popularity of the season, area calendars are jammed with events. It’s a good idea to use extra caution this week when driving, especially when you are in a neighborhood area or near a church or school.

Some of the young revelers may dart out from the shadows without warning or neglect to look both ways before crossing the street.

Many area events are planned to provide youngsters a safe alternative to traditional trick-or-treating, and these are always a good idea. Supervised events with proper security will help make sure that all the young participants stay safe and sound.

The Denton Fire Fighters Association advises using flameless LED candles to decorate homes and walkways — open flames and party decorations can be a dangerous combination.

“It is important for people to take basic precautions to make sure they have nothing other than a fun-filled Halloween,” Jason Ballard, president of the association, stated in a news release.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the United States sees an overall increase in fires on Halloween caused by open flames, and the arson rate is 10 percent higher than any other day with 15,500 fires and $92 million in property loss per year.

Kenneth Hedges, spokesman for the Denton Fire Department, said the department has no significant increase in call volume on Halloween compared to any other day, whether the holiday fell on a weekday or weekend.

Mark Richards, division chief of the Lewisville Fire Department, said his city doesn’t experience a high call volume either but encourages people to be mindful of their costumes being dragged into a flame, especially since many costumes are long and flowing — be it Elsa or a Dracula.

“You would be amazed at how many people still use candles to light up their pumpkins,” he said. “Candles are our big concern.”

Richards said jack-o’-lanterns around vegetation can cause a fire to spread quickly and asks that residents keep that in mind when decorating.

The firefighters association also issued the following tips:

• Cross streets at an intersection and look both ways before crossing;

• Always keep candles, matches and lighters in a place that children cannot reach;

• Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires or loose connections and make sure lights are certified by a recognized organization such as the Underwriters Laboratory;

• Do not overload extension cords. Indoor and outdoor decorative lights can be fire hazards;

• hoose costumes that are flame-resistant, comfortable and easy to walk in and see; and

• Pick brightly colored costumes that can be clearly seen by motorists and add reflective tape to the costume to increase visibility.

• Protecting children should be our top priority as Halloween approaches, so be careful — make sure that everyone plays it safe while having fun.


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