Make Sure This Halloween Is A Safe One

Halloween is Friday night, and parents are urged to take precautions to keep kids safe.  As you plan Halloween decorations, John Hendricks, with the Oregon State Fire Marshal's office reminds families: open candles are dangerous.

"Use battery operated candles like tea lights or LED candles.  They can give that same effect without having that risk of having a fire."

If you use a real candle in a pumpkin, make sure it's contained inside.  Isabel Anderson, with the Red Cross, said when kids come home from trick or treating, parents should check the candy.

"Make sure you look at those candies and if it's a brand that you don't recognize toss it, if it's an open package toss it as well.  Anything that looks suspicious make sure that you're tossing that."

When buying or creating costumes, also make sure it’s made of fire resistant material and doesn't have flowing threads that might catch fire on a candle.  Have kids carry a flashlight or use glow-sticks, so drivers can see them.

In addition, when it comes to the costume, Anderson stresses parents need to make sure eye-holes are large enough.  And if that doesn’t work, she say face paint is always a good alternative.

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