For Immediate Release: Friday, October 28, 2022
Contact: Office of Communications, Communications@MyFloridaCFO.com, 850.413.2842

CFO & State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis Shares Halloween Fire Safety Tips

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis shared important fire safety tips to protect Floridians from fire related accidents this Halloween. According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), decorations catch fire first in approximately 800 reported home fires each year and more than one-third of these fires are started by candles.

CFO & State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said, “Halloween is a fun and exciting time to spend with family and loved ones, but nothing is more scary than your Halloween being ruined by a fire related accident. Keeping decorations away from open flames, buying safe costumes, and providing your kids with flashlights or glowsticks are important precautions to prevent scary situations. By following a few fire safety tips, you can ensure your loved ones have a safe and happy Halloween.”

Halloween Fire Safety Tips from the NFPA:

1. Consider alternatives to open flames. In order to help decrease the risk of fire, use battery-operated candles or glow sticks inside your jack-o-lanterns.

2. Buy safe costumes. When purchasing costumes, wigs and accessories make sure they are fire-resistant. Educate children on the importance of staying away from open flames when dressed up and avoid costumes with long, trailing fabric.

3. Ensure working smoke alarms. Before any Halloween event, check every smoke alarm and fire extinguisher to make sure they are in working order.

4. Don’t let decorations ruin the day. Items like dried flowers, cornstalks, and candy packaging can catch fire in an instant. Keep all decoration and candy wrappers away from open flames and other heat sources like heaters and light bulbs and be sure exits are clear of decorations in case of emergency.

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About CFO Jimmy Patronis 
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and X (@FLDFS).