Devon Fire Service issues Halloween safety warning to families across the county

As families across Devon prepare for Halloween this Friday (October 31), Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to stay safe by switching from real candles to battery-powered tealights inside pumpkins and decorations.

The service says this simple swap could help prevent fires at one of the riskiest times of year. 

Around one in eight house fires begins with naked flames such as candles, matches, or cigarettes, and Halloween continues to see a spike in such incidents.

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Kate Saint, Head of Prevention at Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue, said:

“If a pumpkin with a battery-powered tealight gets knocked over, or you forget to turn it off overnight, nobody gets hurt and nothing is damaged. They’re a stress-free, safe option that still creates that same spooky glow.”

The service has also reminded parents to be cautious when buying children’s fancy dress costumes, as these outfits are classed as toys, not clothing, and therefore don’t have to meet the same fire safety standards.

Residents are advised to check for a UKCA or CE mark on packaging to ensure costumes meet legal safety requirements, as those costumes without these marks may not be fire-safe.

ABOVE: The UKCA and CE markings to check for on costumes (Credit: Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service)

Safety Tips from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

• Keep costumes, decorations, and pumpkins well away from naked flames.
• Use battery-powered candles or glow sticks instead of real candles.
• Add a layer of normal clothing underneath fancy dress outfits for extra protection.
• Teach children to “stop, drop, and roll” if their costume catches fire, and to cover their face with their hands.
• Add reflective tape or glow sticks to costumes to make them visible after dark.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue has also released a short video demonstrating how quickly a costume can catch fire, showing why prevention is so important.

The service covers a large area, protecting around 1.75 million residents across Devon and Somerset. 

In past years, it has recorded an increase in Halloween-related fire callouts, particularly from decorations and costumes catching alight.

Local fire stations across Devon are encouraging residents to follow this guidance to help reduce the number of avoidable emergencies this Halloween.