Halloween safety and security

Remember to follow safety and security advice if you are taking part in Halloween activities this weekend:

RoSPA Haloween safety tips

Following a survey they carried out last year, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPSA) published the following tips for a safe Halloween!

1. Candles are used at Halloween, so please use them carefully.
2. Never leave lit candles unattended.
3. Don’t allow children to play with or be around lit candles. Use battery operated candles instead.
4. When outside, ensure children can be seen in the dark. Ensure they wear something reflective such as a reflective strip or a glow stick, and carry a torch.
5. If outside, ensure children are supervised by a suitable adult.
6. Remind children of how to cross roads safely before leaving home.
7. Remove any Halloween make-up or fake blood immediately, if irritation occurs. It could be the first indication of an allergic reaction to something within the cosmetic.
8. Dressing up costumes should be tested against the toy standards’ flammability requirements and carry a CE mark. But remember that even these costumes need to be kept away from naked flames.
9. Please be aware that items you may make or use may not have had any flammability testing so could ignite easily.
10. Follow the Firework Code (see www.saferfireworks.com for more information).

Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents 26 October 2015
www.rospa.com/media-centre/press-office/press-releases/detail/?id=1418

CTSI Costume safety

Look after Mabel, check the label!

Things to consider when buying a child’s costume

• Has it got a CE marking?
  Be aware that CE markings can be faked by counterfeiters or those looking to cut corners.
• Who are you buying it from?
  Are you in a reputable shop? Be extra careful when purchasing online.
• Check the packaging and labels
  Make sure the packaging and garment contain the manufacturer’s name or registered trademark.
• Check for product recalls
  Search for “CTSI Recalls” in your preferred search engine for a comprehensive list.
• Check safety instructions
  Ensure the product is accompanied by safety information and instructions where applicable.

All garments have a risk of being flammable – please check the label and stay away from naked flames!

For consumer advice please call the consumer helpline citizens advice on 03454 04 05 06
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/

Kent Fire and Rescue

Planning ahead can help make this Halloween fire safe. Taking simple fire safety precautions and being considerate to others will make it enjoyable for everyone.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service would like to remind you about some important fire safety messages:

• Every year at this time of year there is a risk that children and adults alike can be injured.
• Lighted candles or fireworks can ignite flammable costumes and hair.
• Plastic capes and bin liners, often used as costumes, are also fire risks.
• Homemade lanterns made from hollowed pumpkins and candles are extremely hazardous. If the candle tips over it could set light to materials such as costumes, curtains, clothes and furniture and start a serious fire.
• Lanterns should never be made from plastic bottles or other containers. This would be very dangerous and if handled carelessly could result in burns and also cause a fire.
• Get more candle safety advice

www.kent.fire-uk.org/news/campaigns/halloween-safety/

Kent Police security and safety

Trick or treating

We hope you all have a good Halloween weekend but it’s important to remember that not everyone enjoys it – if someone is displaying a ‘no trick or treat’ sign, please respect their wishes and don’t knock at their door.

If you have elderly neighbours, friends or family make sure they know they don’t have to open the door to anyone they don’t know or aren’t expecting to help them feel safe.

It’s important everyone knows that most trick or treaters are simply getting involved in the celebrations and will be friendly, but please share our guidance on bogus callers with anyone who may have concerns, www.kent.police.uk/advice/bogus-callers-and-rogue-traders/.

Print and display a Kent Police poster to help trick or treaters know where to visit this Halloween:

• Say ‘No to trick or treaters’, www.kent.police.uk/getmedia/69190734-5f97-483e-8066-c8fba4fa21fc/trick_or_treat_poster_no.pdf
• Say ‘Yes to trick or treaters’, www.kent.police.uk/getmedia/7f38b0b9-e3ec-462e-bf1f-e04c3103ce86/trick_or_treat_poster_yes.pdf

Guidance for parents:

• Never let young children go trick or treating on their own and make sure they only visit people known to your family.
• Make sure teenagers understand not to frighten people or use flour or eggs.
• Advise young trick or treaters to stay in a group and never go into the home of someone they don’t know.

Fireworks

Top tips to celebrate safely

• Fireworks can hurt and frighten people and animals – always follow the firework code, www.saferfireworks.com/.
• Always supervise children around fireworks and never give sparklers to a child under 5.
• It’s safer to go to an organised display – if you’re aged 18 or over and still want to buy your own fireworks, only buy those marked BS 7114:1988 from a reputable retailer.

Know the law

It’s an offence to:

• sell adult fireworks to anyone under 18
• have adult fireworks in a public place if you are under 18
• have fireworks meant for a professional display
• let off fireworks after 11pm and before 7am, except on Bonfire Night (allowed up to midnight), New Year’s Eve, Diwali and the Chinese New Year (all allowed up to 1am).

You can also be fined up to £5,000 and imprisoned for up to 6 months for selling or using fireworks illegally. You could also get an on-the-spot fine of £90.

For more details on fireworks at the law visit www.gov.uk/fireworks-the-law, www.gov.uk/fireworks-the-law.

Kent Police www.kent.police.uk/advice/halloween-and-bonfire-night-advice/

Going out

Out for halloween? Make sure you lock up and keep valuables out of view while you’re out – even if only for a short while.

www.kent.police.uk/burglary/