Halloween Fire Safety Tips

10/29/2020 (Permalink)

We here at SERVPRO Harrisburg West take the holidays very seriously, especially when it gives us an excuse to decorate the office and dress up. That's why, if you ever stop by the warehouse, you can find members of the team here sporting witch hats and pitchforks as early as October 1st. We really like to go all out and honestly, now that there are bits of bowls of candy everywhere, we can't complain. A lot of us, much like yourselves, are setting up and decking out our houses with all sorts of spooky gear. fog machines, light shows, animatronics, speakers, sometimes even a lifesize talking vampire. Some of our homes have ended up looking like they might as well be the stage for a heavy metal show, and what do both heavy metal shows and decked out houses both need to succeed? A ton of electricity. In fact, a good haunted house has been estimated to cost some owners around $281.32 a week in just electricity. Left unnoticed, these can not only rack up quite a frightening bill but can be a huge fire hazard, turning your Halloween night into an actual nightmare.

So what can you do in order to take the right precautions and keep your home and family safe?

A common theme that many people have when setting up their haunted houses makes it look like a farmhouse. It is not unusual to see dried cornstalks, hay bales or piles of wood sitting in front of the houses of citizens. Generally speaking, it is not the safest idea to leave these things around open flames or devices susceptible of causing fires.

With the previous statement. Who loves a good jack-o-lantern. We sure do. One thing to keep in mind is that most people use open flames in jack-o-lanterns or luminaries, and if you're not careful, this can be another major fire hazard. We suggest converting these to LED lamps. They're reusable, safer, and come in a number of different colors.

Wardrobe malfunctions are another common concern. Long draping sashes, flowing skirts, acrylic hairpieces, string parts, all these objects can be caught over an open flame, or entangled in some kind of machinery, presenting terrible issues.

Maybe it's you who decide to take out some form of heavy power tools or farm equipment and drop them in the front lawn. Always check the equipment before starting it. Gas caps, saw blades, fuel lines, extension cords, ensure proper protection when deciding to mess with heavy machinery on Halloween night. When in doubt, always remember the important acronym, K.I.S.S.

Particularly those placed outside in the elements. We at SERVPRO know a lot about "daisy-chaining" and how to do it safely, it's part of the work, but it can get messy quickly. Always make sure how much power you put in and how much the outlet can take before plugging in something else, particularly if your house looks like a death metal album cover. 

Accident prevention is the secret to making smart, measured choices that can save you long-term. We still aim to provide people with solutions to daily issues, hoping they will never again need our services. We know how hard house fires can be for families, and we will always be here to get people back in action in their time of need. If all else fails, you can always call your nearest SERVPRO for support.