(KNSI) — Flickering flames making jack-o-lanterns glow can be a hazard on Halloween.
St. Cloud Fire Department Captain Tony Lorenz has tips to keep trick or treat from turning tragic. “What we recommend, and it’s not nearly as fun, but put the battery operated candles in there. Perhaps you could even use a glow stick or some sort of manufactured light up tool to light up your pumpkins.”
He says lit pumpkins get knocked over and can ignite cornstalks or other decorations. Lorenz explained costumes that drag on the ground can get too close to a candle and start on fire. “As children go up to the doors to trick or treat, if those get caught up in the jack o lanterns, that can cause harm for the child or the costume.”
He says to keep the pumpkins away from foot traffic. Kids should know to stop, drop, and roll if their costume catches fire.
Nationally, firefighters responded to 800 fires a year connected to Halloween. Candles start more than a third of the fires.
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