Creative costumes, scary decorations, and delicious treats- oh my! As Halloween creeps up on us, the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) offers these tips and recommendations to ensure your holiday is spooktacular:

Purchase or make costumes that are made of “flame resistant” or “flame retardant” materials. This means they will resist burning and extinguish quickly if they are ignited.
Avoid costumes with billowing or long-trailing fabric to avoid tripping and fire ignition hazards.
Provide children with flashlights or glow sticks so that they are more easily seen when trick-or-treating. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough that they can see out of them.
Keep decorations like cornstalks and leaves away from open flames and other heat sources. If possible, use battery-operated lights instead of candles for pumpkins. If you choose to use candle decorations, keep them attended at all times and extinguish them if you leave the room.
Be familiar with exits, fire extinguisher locations, and emergency evacuation plans when you are celebrating at a party or are in a new environment.

Your Halloween can be safe and memorable if you implement these tips. For more information on holiday fire safety and prevention, visit the SFMO’s website at http://www.wsp.wa.gov/prevention-data-collection/ or follow us on Twitter @wafiremarshal.

The above is a press release from the WA State Fire Marshal’s Office. The Auburn Examiner has not independently verified its content.