The Chattanooga Fire Department is doing its part to provide a safe, enjoyable Halloween experience for area children. Wednesday, on Halloween night, the Chattanooga Fire Department will open all 19 fire stations in Chattanooga from 6-8 p.m. to give trick-or-treaters an up-close look inside a fire station. While there, children can talk to the firefighters, look at the fire engines, and get some delicious candy, while supplies last. This event applies to the 19 fire stations located within the city limits of Chattanooga.

Here are some helpful Halloween safety tips from the Chattanooga Fire Department:

Going Door-to-Door:

·    Never let children under age 12 go trick-or-treating or cross the street without the supervision of an adult.

·    Teach them never to dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

·    Be Visible: Carry flashlights and decorate costumes, bags and sacks with reflective tape and stickers.

·    Teach children to walk, not run, while trick-or-treating.

·    Remind children to stop at all street corners before crossing.  Tell them to cross streets only at intersections and crosswalks.

·    Teach them to look left, right and left again before crossing the street and to continue looking both ways as they cross.

Fire Safety:

·    Look for “flame-resistant” labels on costumes, masks, beards and wigs.

·    Avoid costumes made of flimsy material and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.  These are more likely to come in contact with an exposed flame, such as a candle, than tighter fitting costumes.

·    Keep candles, pumpkins with candles, matches and lighters out of children’s reach.

Additional Safety Tips:

·    Apply face paint or cosmetics directly to the face.  It is safer than a loose-fitting mask that can obstruct a child’s vision.  If a mask is worn, be certain it fits securely.  Cut the eyeholes large enough for full vision.

·    Make costumes short enough to avoid tripping.

·    Secure hats so they will not slip over children’s eyes.

·    Dress children in shoes that fit.  Adult shoes can cause kids to trip and fall.

·    Allow children to carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.  Anything they carry could injure them if they fall.

·    Teach children not to cut across yards.  Lawn ornaments and clotheslines are “hidden hazards” in the dark.  Tell your children to stay on the sidewalk at all times.

Note:  If you do discover treats that have been tampered with, notify the police department immediately.