Not Only is it Spooky Season, it is Also Fire Season! Follow These Tips to Prevent Fires in Your St. Augustine Home this Halloween!

10/22/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Greater St. Augustine/ St. Augustine Beach wishes you and your family a safe and fun-filled Halloween!

It's spooky season and Halloween is almost here, bringing ghosts and ghouls to your doorstep, allowing you to deck your house out in spooky decorations! While this is the perfect time to decorate your home, it's important to remember that 2 out of 5 Halloween fires occur because of improperly placed decorations.

The NFPA found that between 2014-2018 an average of 770 home structure fires began from Halloween decorations, resulting in 2 fatalities, 30 injuries, and over $11 million in property damage. The majority of these fires took place because these decorations were too close to a heat source. Use safe decoration practices to ensure that you have a safe, and fun Halloween season!

Candle with Care

According to the NFPA, more than 44% of fires occur because holiday decorations are too close to a heat source! Whether it's one in a jack-o'lantern or a fall pumpkin scent candle, blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed and keep candles at least 1ft away from anything flammable. Glow sticks or electric candles are a safer option to consider when lighting up your jack-o'lantern. 

Use Dried Decorations Sparingly

When it comes to decorations, fall and Halloween decorations are usually very dry- corn stocks, dried flowers, cornstalks, all of which are extremely flammable. Be sure to keep these and other decorations away from candles and other heat sources

Choosing Costumes 

Some costumes are made with nylon and plastics that could easily ignite if you pass too closely by a candle or flame, so when choosing a costume, you want to make sure you stay away from long trailing fabric. If the costume includes a mask, make sure that it does not interfere with vision and the ability to see your surroundings. 

Don't Block Doorways 

While you may be tempted to decorate doorframes using fake cobwebs and paper streamers, this can actually make it more difficult to exit the home if a fire does break out. Exits are NOT an appropriate place for decorations. Keep obstructive decorations to inner walls and out of hallways, windows, and doorways, leaving an open path to exit the home in the event of a fire.

At SERVPRO of St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, S. Nocatee and World Golf Village we understand that even with the utmost planning and safe practices, accidents happen. That is why we are ready to respond to your emergency 24/7/365. If you have experienced a fire and are not sure what the next steps are, SERVPRO of St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, S. Nocatee and World Golf Village is here to help, we will walk you through the process and provide you with a free estimate. We will also work with your insurance company every step of the way. To schedule a free estimate or learn more about the services we provide, 904-429-4457!