Halloween is a chance to have fun with family and friends, whether you’re carving pumpkins, dressing up, or heading out trick-or-treating. But every year, preventable accidents happen because of candles, costumes, and poor visibility after dark.
Here are some top tips to help everyone enjoy a safe Halloween this year.
Light up pumpkins safely
A carved pumpkin with a real candle might look spooky, but naked flames are a significant cause of accidental house fires. Around one in eight dwelling fires attended by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service are started by naked flames such as candles and matches.
Safer options:
• Use battery-powered LED tea lights instead of candles.
• Keep your pumpkins away from curtains, furniture and other items that could catch fire.
• Never leave lit candles unattended.
• Make sure pumpkins are placed somewhere stable where they can't be easily knocked over.
Fancy dress can catch fire fast
Halloween costumes can be highly flammable and may ignite surprisingly quickly if they come into contact with a candle, bonfire, fire pit, or cooking appliance.
Stay safe by:
- keeping costumes away from naked flames
- Taking extra care around cookers, barbecues, and fire pits
- Choosing costumes that fit properly and don't trail on the ground or past your hands
- Wearing protective layers such as jeans or woollen clothing underneath where possible.
Make sure drivers can see you
Halloween is one of the busiest evenings for children walking around neighbourhoods after dark. Reduced visibility makes it harder for drivers to spot trick-or-treaters.
When heading out:
- add reflective strips, glow sticks, or lights to costumes
- carry a torch
- stick to pavements and well-lit routes
- cross roads at safe locations and avoid stepping out between parked cars or on a bend.

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