Stay safe this Hallowe’en and bonfire night

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is encouraging residents to have a safe Hallowe’en and bonfire night this year.

Picking the right Hallowe’en costume can take some thought and careful planning, but it is important that residents also consider whether the costumes have been fire safety tested as well.

Only buy costumes from reputable retailers: very cheaply made Halloween costumes are more likely to catch fire mere seconds after exposure to a naked flame and look out for the CE marking (EN71-2) on any costume you buy.

Head of Prevention at West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, Nicki Peddle, said: “We would recommend that people wear cotton fibre clothes under dressing up costumes, as this means there is a layer of protection between the costume and your skin which can help protect the skin in the event of a fire incident.

“Make sure your child knows how to ‘stop, drop and roll’ – the quickest and safest thing to do if the costume you’re wearing does catch light.

“And to be on the safe side, use LED lights rather than real candles in any decorations.”

Many residents across the county will also be preparing to mark Bonfire Night the following week.

The fire service is encouraging people to take advantage of one of the many professional demonstrations being staged around the county, rather than holding their own back garden displays.

Nicki added: “We would encourage people to attend an organised public firework display in the interests of safety. With fireworks at home there’s always uncertainty what can happen without any professionals on hand. “Remember that fireworks are explosives, and as such should be treated with respect and only used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the Firework Code.”

If you are thinking of arranging or organising your own firework display have a look at this important information before you make any plans.

•        Make sure everyone stays well back from open fires or fireworks and ensure children are supervised at all times.

•        Don’t use flammable liquids to light bonfires, you never know the extent of a reaction a flammable liquid will have.

•        Only buy fireworks from reputable retailers, and always keep your fireworks in a closed metal box and take them out one at a time.

•        Never return to a lit firework and do not throw fireworks.

•        If you are using sparklers, make sure they are held at arm’s length whilst wearing gloves. Once the sparklers are out put them in a bucket of water.

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