PHOENIX -- Halloween is just a few days away, but before you throw that party or enter a haunted house there are some safety warnings the Phoenix Fire Department wants you to know about.
Lots of people get very excited about Halloween and with the holiday on a Saturday this year there will be plenty of parties, too. That's why the Phoenix Fire Department wants to remind everyone about the dangers of Halloween.
Many folks get into the spirit by decorating their homes and creating their own haunted houses for the neighborhood kids, but those can be extremely dangerous.
Fire crews created their own haunted house to show how quickly they can burn. Within seconds, bales of hay, plastic and sheets acted as fuel, creating a death trap.
Along with the hazards of decorations, costumes can also be dangerous.
Parents should make sure they properly fit their little ones so they can't trip. If outfits are dark, put reflective tape so they're more visible. And, most importantly, only fire-retardant materials should be used for costumes.
Last but not least, drivers beware.
The Phoenix Police Department says Halloween is when they get calls of accidents on driveways and in neighborhoods -- accidents that happen while trick-or-treaters are out and drivers aren't playing close attention.
