From the City of Batavia Fire and Police departments:
It’s Fall and the Halloween celebration will soon be upon us. As in the past, there will be children dressed in costumes excitedly running door to door to trick-or-treat, festive decorations like glowing jack-o-lanterns, paper ghosts and dried cornstalks adorning front porches – these are some of the classic hallmarks of Halloween that make the holiday special for kids and adults alike.
Unfortunately, these Halloween symbols and activities can also present risks that have the potential to become truly scary. But by planning ahead, you can help make this Halloween a safe one.
Taking simple fire and personal safety precautions can help ensure your holiday remains festive and fun.
Fire Chief Stefano Napolitano of the City Fire Department, Chief Shawn Heubusch of the City Police Department in conjunction with the United States Fire Administration, National Safety Council along with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) would like to offer the following safety tips.
Please follow and adhere to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended COVID-19 guidelines for Halloween celebrations, which include:
- Having a virtual Halloween costume contest;
- Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house;
- Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.
- A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around the face.
General Safety Tips
- Stay in groups while trick-or-treating while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
- Never enter a stranger's home.
- Costumes should be well fitting, flame resistant, highly visible and free of long trailing fabric.
- Always test makeup for potential skin allergy before applying.
- Remember to look both ways when crossing streets.
- Always stay on sidewalks.
- Provide children with flashlights and glow sticks for visibility.
- Avoid dark houses.
- Examine all treats before eating.
- Enjoy with caution.
- Motorists are reminded to take the following precautions.
- Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbso enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
- Chief Napolitano highly recommends keeping Halloween decorations away from any open flames, light bulbs and heaters. It is very easy for decorations such as dried flowers, cornstalks, crepe paper to catch on fire.
- Additionally, Napolitano recommends keeping exits clear of any decorations so as to not block your exits in the event of a fire and testing your smoke detectors to ensure that they are working or request fire department staff to inspect and test for you.
