The office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal is warning everyone to keep fire safety tips in mind for halloween and fall decorations. According to the National Fire Protection Association decorations were the first thing to ignite in roughly 800 reported home fires every year.  Two of every five of these fires occured because decorations were too close to a heat source. 

When choosing a halloween costume for your children, officials encourage you to stay away from long trailing fabric. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough so they can see well. Provide children with flashlkights or glow sticks and tell children to stay away from open flames including pumpkins with candles. 

To have a safe, fun, and happy halloween, the OSFM suggests these tips: use a battery-operated candle or glow stick in pumpkins, avoid having dried flowers, cornstalks, and crepe paper near open flames or other heat sources. Keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes. Above all else, make sure that all smoke alarms are working.

JC Fultz says glowsticks can make pumpkins fun.

For more information on halloween safety or if you have any questions, contact your local fire department.