Halloween is a week away, but many children will be in costume Saturday for early events.

Glowing jack-o-lanterns, festive decorations, spooky costumes – Halloween offers tons of festive fun, but it does come with hidden fire dangers that can be truly scary. Fortunately, by following some simple safety precautions from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), parents can ensure a day of safe fun for the family and trick-or-treaters.
 “Everyone loves decorating their homes and wearing colorful costumes on Halloween, and we want them to enjoy it all,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of Outreach and Advocacy, “but this holiday can quickly turn hazardous if proper precautions aren’t taken.” Candle decorations and costumes with billowing or long trailing fabric are a fire risk, according to Carli.
 The Sparky the Fire Dog website features tip sheets, kids’ activities, an e-card, and a Sparky pumpkin-carving template. For parents and teachers, NFPA also created a simple Halloween fire safety tip graphic.