merrion street

Halloween is a fun time for children and adults alike, but it presents many fire risks.

Fire Services respond to an increased number of incidents, including bonfires, at this time of year. Bonfires are extremely dangerous and can cause people to suffer serious injury due to hazardous items being ignited.

This Halloween, I am urging people to consider their own safety and the safety of others by being extra careful. Careful does not mean not having fun, it just means taking into account some simple steps.

In particular, I am urging people to:

Attend only legal, safe and supervised organised events in your area
Keep a safe distance from bonfires and fireworks and obey the advice of stewards
Use battery-operated candles if possible
Never leave lit candles unattended. Place them in a safe holder where they are unlikely to be knocked over, away from fabrics and draughts.
Make sure that costumes have a CE mark and keep them away from naked flames
Be sure that children know how to “stop, drop and roll” if their clothing was to catch fire
Keep pets indoors
Test all your smoke alarms and replace batteries if necessary

Have a happy and safe Halloween!