Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service shares key Halloween safety advice
The advice includes using LED candles in your pumpkins this year!
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service is sharing some key advice to help everyone enjoy Halloween safely this year.
We spoke to Donna Potts, Deputy Head of Prevention at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, who says that everyone deserves to have fun and enjoy the spooky season, but there are simple steps people can take to make sure it doesn't end in a nightmare.
Donna highlighted the fire risks posed by pumpkins and Halloween decorations, saying: “We're asking people to use battery-operated tea lights rather than real candles. A lot of costumes and other items people wear can be quite flammable.”
For those taking their little ones trick-or-treating, Donna stressed the importance of being visible to drivers.
She said: “We'd ask the adult to be wearing bright clothing so that drivers can see them.”
For adults enjoying the spooky season, the key messages are to avoid open flames when wearing potentially flammable costumes and to plan a safe journey home, particularly if they intend to drink alcohol.
Donna said: “If people are going out, have a designated driver or use public transport if you can, and stay safe.”
For those who do not want to take part in Halloween festivities, there are ways to make this clear to trick-or-treaters.
Donna explained: “If you're home and you don't want people knocking on the door, there are posters that the police and county councils will give out that you can put on your door, or you can leave your lights off to make it clear. We'd ask people who are trick-or-treating not to knock on doors that clearly aren't taking part.”
Finally, Donna encouraged everyone to enjoy the celebrations while keeping safety in mind.
She said: “Enjoy yourselves, because we're all about having fun with your friends and getting out and really celebrating the season.”