Halloween is fast approaching, and with it, the rush to find the perfect costume, that great pumpkin, and just the right decorations to cover your house. Hidden within all this fun and excitement are potential fire hazards, and the Skippack Fire Company want to remind everyone about some simple Halloween safety tips to help avoid seasonal hazards.

During the years 2011-2015, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 840 home structure fires annually that began with decorations. These fires caused an average of 2 civilian deaths, 36 civilian injuries, and $11.4 million in direct property damage per year. Almost half (45%) of these fires were tied to decorations being too close to some type of heat source, such as a candle. A fire can start when candles are too close to decorations or when long, trailing costumes come into contact with candles.

The following tips can help ensure a harm-free holiday season:

Candles - Refrain from having an open flame. Use battery-operated candles or glow-sticks in your jack-o-lanterns.

Costumes - Choose the right costume. Stay away from long or flowing fabric, and skip extraneous costume pieces.

Decorations - Avoid flammable decorations including dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper that are highly flammable. Keep decorations away from open flames and other heat sources, including light bulbs and heaters.

Exits - Remember to keep all decorations away from doors so that they are not blocking any exits or escape routes.

Smoke alarms - Make sure all of your smoke alarms are working and up to date.

Visibility - Provide flashlights to children or have them carry glow sticks as part of their costumes. Make sure if a child is wearing a mask that the eye holes are large enough to see out of them.

Here are some Halloween safety tips for drivers:

Slow down and be alert, especially in residential neighborhoods. Trick-or-treaters may dart into the street.

Look for trick-or-treaters at intersections and on the side of the road.

Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.

Get rid of distractions, like your phone, so you can concentrate on your surroundings.

Turn on your headlights earlier in the day so you can spot children from a greater distance.

Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Be especially alert for children during these hours.

Don’t assume you have the right of way. Drivers may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters.

Watch out for children in dark clothing.

Discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween.

Here are some Halloween safety tips for your pets:

The Halloween hype can cause pets stress. Before trick-or-treating starts, put your cat or dog in a safe, quiet room where they will be safe from Halloween activities.

Remember, Halloween candy is hazardous to pets.

Keep your pets away from Halloween decorations that may be dangerous to them.

If you dress your pet in a costume, make sure the pet feels safe and comfortable wearing the costume.

Bring your pets inside before dark, and make sure they can’t run away if they get spooked.

Have a great Halloween!