halloween fire danger

Be Safe this Halloween by Using Suggestions from the CPSC

By Attorney Ray Maples on October 28, 2011

While Halloween is one of the most festive and celebrated holidays of the year, accidents and injuries regularly occur for many reasons. Some of the common culprits include accidental fires, pedestrian visibility, and dangerous costumes. Thankfully the majority of these incidents can be avoided, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The agency outlined a few of the main offenders for producing Halloween injuries and a safety checklist for preventing them in a recent release. Let’s take a look at the key points.

Fire ranked among the largest causes of dangerous accidents. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says Halloween is one of the worst days every year for accidental fires. To minimize fire risks, use battery operated devices in lieu of candles, lanterns, or pumpkins. Also, only choose costumes made of flame resistant materials, and be careful when constructing your own as they will not be subject to the Federal Flammable Fabrics Act (FFA), which mandates costumes offered at stores to be certified flame retardant. If you do make your own costume, fabrics like nylon and polyester have natural fire resistant qualities.

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