24 Oct 2017
Posted by Esther O'Moore Donohoe 
Halloween is a time of spooky fun, frights and excitement, but with all those whizzes and bangs it can be fraught with danger. Make sure that your Halloween party doesn’t turn into a real-life horror show by following our simple safety advice…
COSTUMES
– Make sure your costume (whether adult or child) is made of flame-resistant material. You should also try to wear a layer of clothes under your costume so that there is a barrier between it and your skin. This will offer you some protection should it catch fire. Halloween costumes tend to be well fitted so check that you can easily and quickly remove what you are wearing if something goes wrong.
– The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) advise people to look out for the CE mark and the Flame Resistant label on their Halloween outfits, masks and other Halloween props. The CE Mark indicates that the manufacturer has complied with the Irish and European standard. A Flame Resistant label doesn’t mean your costume won’t catch fire but it indicates that it will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once away from the fire source.
TRICK OR TREAT
– Make sure that children are accompanied by a responsible adult when trick or treating, and that they bring a flashlight.
– Be extra vigilant when crossing roads, adhere to the Safe Cross Code and stay on footpaths.
– Motorists should be extra vigilant when driving on Halloween night and be mindful of young and more vulnerable road users. Remember, children can be unpredictable and dart out on the road without prior warning. Take extra care and slow down.
PUMPKIN SAFETY
– Keep candles and lit pumpkins away from doors and doorsteps as trick or treaters’ costumes could brush past open flames and catch fire.
– Consider using battery-operated or LED lights instead of candles.
– If using novelty Halloween lights, make sure they carry a CE mark.
– The Road Safety Authority recommends checking that your smoke alarm is working and to have a fire extinguisher in your home.
FIREWORKS AND BONFIRES
– Don’t allow children to attend unsupervised bonfires.
– Under 2006 legislation, if you ignite a firework or cause it to be ignited in any place, you are guilty of an offence (unless you are a licensed operator).
– Don’t forget to keep pets indoors and be extra vigilant if out trick or treating.
YOUR INSURANCE POLICY
– Typically, there is cover under home insurance for damage caused to buildings and contents by malicious persons or vandals unlawfully in your home. If this results in a claim, customers should notify their insurer and the Gardaí as soon as possible.
– Note: the definition of home is “The house, and garage if attached, or self-contained purpose-built apartment at the address shown in the Policy Schedule used solely as Your Household’s main private dwelling’.
Be safe this Halloween but don’t forget to have fun too!
Buy AA Home Insurance online and get €60 off. There are lots of extra benefits for existing AA members and car insurance customers.
Check out our guide to the spookiest place names in Ireland!
Main image used under CC0 licence.
