61°F
weather icon Mostly Clear

Tips to stay safe on Halloween

With Halloween quickly creeping around the corner, staying safe is just as important as the fun.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, an annual average of 770 home structure fires began with decorations between 2014 and 2019, resulting in one death, 26 injuries and $13 million in property damage.

More than two of every five, or 44 percent, of these fires occurred because decorations were too close to a heat source like a candle or hot equipment. Items like dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper catch fire easily. The NFPA advises to keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters.

Boulder City Deputy Fire Chief Greg Chesser said the most common injuries he sees during Halloween are costume-related.

“We do see trips and falls, and injuries with costumes and decorations,” he said.

His best advice for kids on Halloween is to be aware of their surroundings and to carry some type of lighting.

“Number one, cross the street at corners or crosswalks,” Chesser said. “Number two, carry a flashlight or glow sticks for lighting so drivers can see you.”

For parents, Chesser emphasized the importance of ensuring children’s costumes fit correctly and remaining safe on the road.

“Parents should go trick or treating with children 12 and under and remind kids to cross the street at corners or crosswalks,” he said.

He also advised parents to discard any candy that is questionable or looks as though it was altered.

Chesser will be dressed as himself while on duty during Halloween this year and said his favorite candy is Skittles.

Contact reporter Anisa Buttar at abuttar@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9401.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
BC repaint: Countdown is on

It’s almost time to don that old pair of jeans, the ratty tennis shoes in the back of your closet and a shirt you’re not worried about ruining.

Management of veterans’ home sparks controversy

Documents provided to the Boulder City Review by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) appear to back up many of the accusations leveled at the Nevada Department of Veterans Services (NDVS) and leadership of the Southern Nevada State Veterans Home which is located in Boulder City by current and former employees over the past year. Many of the same issues were also noted by CMS surveyors in an inspection of the home that occurred in January.

Spending for proposed pool to be on Nov. ballot

During Tuesday’s Boulder City Council meeting, City Manager Taylour Tedder may have summed things up best.

Historic preservation event set for May

It’s a couple of months away, but scheduling for events tied to Historic Preservation Day — slated for May 11 —are pretty set and revolve around the theme of Trains, Planes and Automobiles.

Slow and steady

For Nevadans at the forefront of the West’s water crisis, snowpack in the Rocky Mountains that eventually trickles down to Lake Mead is always front of mind.

Hunt expected to draw hundreds

For the second year in a row, the city of Boulder City is sponsoring the annual Community Easter Egg Hunt with a little extra help from a friend – the Easter Bunny.

Longtime judge/justice of the peace to retire

If you get arrested in or around Boulder City and have to appear before a judge, that may mean — depending on the offense, the arresting agency and exactly where the arrest happened —that you are in front of the Boulder City municipal judge or the justice of the peace for the Boulder Township of Clark County.

And… We have a primary

It’s official. As of Tuesday evening, five people had filed paperwork to run for city council.

Wait. The museum has WHAT in it’s collection?

It was a presentation about the activities and impact of the Boulder City Museum with lots of info and plans and numbers. But most people who saw it will remember it most for the discussion of some of the museum’s more, hmmm, unusual items that are part of the collection.