Halloween Safety

  • When shopping for costumes and accessories, purchase only those with a label indicating they are flame-resistant or -retardant.
  • Use only battery powered lanterns or chemical light sticks in place of candles, in decorations and costumes.
  • Buy fresh batteries for your smoke alarms.
  • Check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
  • Take extra effort to eliminate tripping hazards on your porch and walkway. Check your property for wet leaves, flower pots, support wires or garden hoses that may prove hazardous to young children.
  • Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs, heaters, and jack-o-lanterns.
  • Do not overload electrical outlets and extension cords with holiday lighting, or special effects.
  • Do not block exit doors.
  • Remember as a driver to remain cautious and drive slowly through the community.
  • Adult partygoers should establish and reward a designated driver.
  • Law enforcement officials should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.
  • Turn off all lights used as decoration in your home when you leave or go to bed. The lights could short out and start a fire.

Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa safety

  • Artificial trees are permitted, make sure it is flame-retardant.
  • Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken sockets, and excessive kinking. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.
  • Do not link more than three light strands to an electrical outlet, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the socket.
  • Make sure to periodically check the wires; they should not be warm to the touch.
  • Do not leave holiday lights on unattended. Turn off all lights when you leave or go to bed.
  • All decorations should be non-flammable and placed away from heat vents..
  • Adult partygoers should establish and reward a designated driver.
  • Law enforcement officials should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.