Don't let Halloween costumes play a dangerous trick on you

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The same flame that makes the front porch jack-o-lantern glow eerily can set fire to an ill-chosen costume, and the big orange candle in the dining room is harmless until Endora drapes her sleeve over it.

According to the Minnesota State Fire Marshal, about 3,400 adults and children are treated in America’s emergency rooms each year for candle-related burn injuries.

“Loose, billowing costumes made of flammable materials can look great, but they also ignite easily and burn fast and hot. That’s not the kind of scare we want on Halloween night,” said State Fire Marshal Jerry Rosendahl,

To keep your Halloween celebrations safe, follow these tips from the State Fire Marshal Division:

•?Avoid flowing and loose-fitting costumes, a well as masked and over-the-head designs that impede vision. Snug-fitting costumes are less likely to come into contact with ignition sources or cause youngsters to trip.

•?Look for labels that indicate the costume is made of flame-resistant materials. These costumes are supposed to stop burning when removed from a flame.

•?If you cannot find flame-resistant costumes, choose ones made of polyester or nylon; they typically do not ignite from a small flame, and if they do, they burn slowly and extinguish readily.

•?Supervise children as they go trick-or-treating; make sure they avoid lit candles and jack-o-lanterns, high heat or flaming decorations. Teach them to “stop, drop and roll” in case of a clothing fire.

•?When you decorate for Halloween, use battery operated or electric lights. Test them for wear and dispose of damaged lights.

•?Don’t use candles or other open flames, inside or outside, when there are children present or celebrations taking place. If you do use candles, place them away from curtains and decorations, where guests will not come near enough to expose costume parts to the flame.

“Candles and decorations make Halloween fun, but accidents make it truly horrifying. So take the right precautions, and have a great time,” Rosendahl said.

Tags: halloween, costume, danger