Fire Safety at Halloween
Known for bonfires and fireworks, Halloween is a busy time of year for Dublin Fire Brigade. To stay safe, read our tips for fire safety at Halloween.
Halloween is meant to be a spooky time of year, not a nightmare. Our firefighters and paramedics want you to have fun and stay safe, so here is their fire prevention and fire safety tips for Halloween.
What can you do?
- Whether you're a business owner or a resident, don’t leave waste or material that can be used for bonfires within public sight or in accessible locations. You are responsible for your waste and, if it has not been disposed of correctly, you could be held liable. Leaving waste out also encourages collectors to enter your property.
- Bonfire collections or stashes are collected by younger people in the weeks and months leading up to Halloween. They are often stored in dangerous locations, such as derelict buildings, sheds, basements, laneways, roofs and wooded areas. These stashes can be lit prematurely by others. If you see waste being left out, collected or stashed somewhere, please ring your local authority. You'll find the contact details for the different Dublin Local Authorities below.
Dublin City Council | (01) 222 2222 | [email protected] |
Fingal County Council | (01) 890 5000 | [email protected] |
South Dublin County Council | (01) 414 9000 | [email protected] |
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown | (01) 205 4700 | [email protected] |
Bonfires
- Bonfires are illegal. However, we have to be realistic, it is Halloween after all. These are our tips for bonfire safety.
- Only attend organised events, this way you can be confident that the bonfire will be well built and not contain anything nasty.
- Over Halloween, and especially on the 31st, we receive hundreds of 999/112 calls to report bonfires. Only call if you have a genuine concern.
- Bonfires can contain some nasty materials, such as car tyres, gas cylinders, aerosol cans, oils, plastics and household rubbish. The smoke from these types of fires is extremely toxic and can cause complications for people already suffering from breathing problems. If you see these materials on a bonfire, it is best to avoid it.
- Don’t get too close to a bonfire. If you feel the heat from a fire, then you are too close. Clothes and costumes are at risk of catching fire.
- Remember, if your clothes catch fire, STOP, DROP & ROLL.
- Bonfires by their nature are destructive and bonfires built too high will collapse. Don’t be the one that it falls on. Stand well clear.
- Grass burned by bonfires will contain sharp and nasty debris for younger children or animals to injure themselves on, so it's best avoided. The grass will take over a year to recover.
- Never try to run through or jump over a bonfire. You could give yourself serious, irreversible injuries. Don’t give in to peer pressure.
- Don’t consume alcohol or other intoxicants around a bonfire.
Fireworks
- Fireworks are dangerous and illegal. You could find yourself in serious trouble for using, selling or supplying them.
- Fireworks aren’t fun for everyone. Vulnerable people, such as the elderly, the young, the infirm and those with sensory issues, can be petrified of the loud noises.
- Because fireworks are illegal, they carry no recognised safety mark. This means they do not conform to any recognised product standards. They could fail to ignite, ignition may be delayed or ignition could happen prematurely.
- Fireworks are essentially small explosives and can cause full-thickness burns, traumatic amputations, blindness and hearing difficulties.
- Clench your fists and try to zip up your coat or make a cup of tea. That’s what living with an amputation is like. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, confidence issues and anxiety are all recognised after-effects of this kind of trauma.
Dressing Up and Trick-or-Treating
- Costumes really set the scene on Halloween. However, some costumes are classified as ‘toys’ and don't have to meet the same fire safety standards as other clothes. Make sure your costume has a genuine CE safety mark on its label and comes from a reputable dealer. Cheap costumes available from online websites may not reach the expected standards.
- Keep costumes away from naked flames, including open fires, bonfires, candles and even sparklers.
- Hairspray is extremely flammable, so take this in to consideration when dressing up.
- Avoid wearing dark costumes as this makes it more difficult for drivers to see you or your children. Incorporate a torch or light into your costume for greater visibility. You should also try to choose a costume and mask that doesn’t restrict your child’s vision.
Halloween Decorations
- If you decide to use candles this Halloween, please opt for battery operated LED candles as real candles are dangerous - especially if they are left unattended.
- Don't forget to hang decorations away from heat sources and naked flames.
- If you are using decorations that need to be plugged in, don’t overload sockets and remember to plug them out when you leave the house or go to bed. If you are using outdoor electricity sources, make sure that the decorations are designed for outdoor use and that you use proper outdoor rated electrical connections.
Animals
- Animals and pets can become extremely distressed at Halloween because of the fireworks. Have a talk with your vet to see if they can prescribe relaxant medications.
- Always keep your pets inside on Halloween night as they may try to run away. Unfortunately, it is also not unheard of for pets and animals to be attacked on Halloween.
Fire and Emergency Services
If there is an imminent danger to life or property, always dial 999 or 112 as soon as possible.
Please respect all emergency services and council crews. We have a job to do and families to go home to. Remember that, as a fire-based Emergency Medical Service (EMS), we may be travelling to help someone who is seriously sick or injured.
Above all else. Stay safe and sound. #SafeAtSamhain
Contact Us
Making Dublin safe from fires and other emergencies is at the heart of what we do. Dublin Fire Brigade runs a number of community fire safety programmes, including schools programmes and safety talks.
If you would like a fire officer to visit your community, school or workplace, please get in touch.