Halloween Safety Tips
October 23, 2014
To prevent accidents and injuries this Halloween, the City of Fernie has some tips to get little ghouls and goblins home safe on Friday night.
Costumes: Buy only costumes, wigs and props labelled flame-resistant or flame-retardant. If making your own costume, choose material that won't easily ignite if it comes in contact with heat or flame. Avoid billowing or long trailing fabric. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough so they can see out.
Provide children with lightweight flashlights to carry for lighting or as part of their costume.
Decorations: 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 and heaters. It is safest to use a flashlight or battery-operated candle in a jack-o-lantern.
Be sure to place lit pumpkins well away from anything that can burn and far enough out of way of trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, walkways and yards.
Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes.
Behaviour: Tell children to stay away from open flames. Be sure they know how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire. (Have them practice, stopping immediately, dropping to the ground, covering their face with hands, and rolling over and over to put the flames out.) Instruct children attending parties at others' homes to locate exits and plan how they would get out in an emergency. With attention to these spooky perils, we'll all ensure a Happy Halloween for the children in our community.
There is a $200 fine for entering the cemetery outside of posted hours (7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday - Friday and 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday).
