Enjoy Halloween Safely with These Essential Fire Safety Tips
As the nights draw in and pumpkins begin to glow, Halloween is a time for fun, creativity, and a touch of fright. But while spooky decorations and flickering candles set the perfect mood, it’s also a time when fire risks increase both at home and in shared buildings.
We’re dedicated to ensuring buildings are safe, compliant, and protected against fire hazards throughout the year. This Halloween, we’re reminding everyone to take a few simple precautions to keep celebrations enjoyable and safe.
Costumes and Decorations
Many Halloween costumes, particularly those bought online or cheaply made, can be highly flammable. If a costume comes into contact with a naked flame from a candle, pumpkin lantern, or sparkler, it can ignite in seconds.
Consider using battery-operated candles or LED tea lights to achieve the same spooky effect without the fire risk. Always check costume labels for fire-resistant materials and follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions carefully. Keep costumes and decorations well away from open flames, fireplaces, or heaters.
If clothing ever catches fire, remember the rule: Stop, drop and roll.
Keeping Your Home Safe
Candles, decorations, and electric lights can transform your home for Halloween, but they can also increase the risk of fire if not used safely. Always secure candles in sturdy holders and place them on flat, stable surfaces to prevent them from tipping over. Never leave lit candles unattended, particularly around children or pets, as accidents can happen quickly.
Switch off electrical decorations before going to bed or leaving the house, and check regularly for any product safety recalls on the UK Government website to ensure your lights and decorations meet safety standards. If you live in a shared building, make sure escape routes and communal areas remain clear of decorations or obstructions, as these spaces must always be accessible and compliant in the event of an emergency.
Staying Safe When Out and About
Halloween often sees families and children carrying lanterns or candles, and other lighted decorations while visiting homes or attending events. While these add to the fun, they also increase the risk of fire if not handled carefully. Children should be reminded to keep flames and heat sources away from costumes, dry leaves, or paper decorations, and to avoid crowded areas where items could easily catch fire.
If you are attending Halloween events in communal spaces or shared buildings, be aware of escape routes and ensure they remain clear of obstacles and decorations. Fire doors, hallways, and stairwells should never be blocked, and all decorations should comply with fire safety regulations.
Simple precautions, such as using LED lights instead of candles and ensuring costumes are flame-resistant, can prevent accidents and help keep everyone safe during celebrations.
Fire Safety Beyond Halloween
While Halloween lasts just one night, fire safety is a year-round responsibility. At MAF Associates, we help ensure that buildings are designed, constructed, and maintained with fire protection in mind.
Our team specialises in façade fire safety, cladding compliance, fire risk management, and fire safety engineering and consultancy to make sure every project meets the highest standards of safety and legal compliance.
Make Safety Part of the Celebration
Fire safety is not just the responsibility of professionals, it is something everyone can participate in to protect homes, families, and communities. By choosing safer alternatives to open flames, using flame-resistant costumes, and maintaining awareness of your surroundings, you can ensure that Halloween remains a fun and memorable occasion without unnecessary risks.
We believe that practical safety measures, informed decisions, and attention to detail are the keys to preventing incidents and protecting lives.
Stay safe and enjoy a fire-safe Halloween!