Fire Safety Tips from Chief James Levine,

Fire Chief of the Upper Saddle River Fire Department and

21 year veteran of the New Jersey fire service.

HALLOWEEN SAFETY

Planning ahead can help make this Halloween a fire-safe one. Taking simple fire safety precautions, like making sure fabrics for costumes and decorative materials are flame-resistant, can prevent fires. During 1999-2002, decorations for special events accounted for an estimated 1,100 reported home structure fires per year, the majority involving candles as the heat source, and causing six civilian deaths and $16 million in direct property damage per year

Safety tips

Purchase only costumes, wigs and props labeled flame-resistant or flame-retardant. When creating a costume, choose material that won't easily ignite if it comes in contact with heat or flame. Avoid billowing or long trailing features.

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, etc.

Use flashlights as alternatives to candles or torch lights when decorating. They are much safer for trick-or-treaters, whose costumes may brush against the lighting.

Use flashlights when illuminating Jack-o-lanterns. Use extreme caution when decorating with candle lit Jack-O-Lanterns, and supervise children at all times when candles are lit. When lighting candles inside Jack-O-Lanterns, use long, fireplace-style matches and be sure to place lit pumpkins well away from anything that can burn including doorsteps, walkways and yards.

Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, ensuring nothing blocks escape routes.

Use flashlights as alternatives to candles or torch lights when decorating walkways and yards. They are much safer for trick-or-treaters, whose costumes may brush against the lighting.

Instruct children to stay away from open flames or other heat sources. Be sure children know how to stop, drop and roll in the event their clothing catches fire. (Stop immediately, drop to the ground, covering your face with your hands, and roll over and over to extinguish flames.)

Instruct children who are attending parties at others' homes to locate the exits and plan how they would get out in an emergency.

Provide children with lightweight flashlights to carry for lighting or as part of their costume.

For more information or to become a volunteer firefighter, e-mail Chief Levine at: USRFD1230@prodigy.net