Fire department urges using battery candles for Halloween safety

Householders are being advised by the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service to use battery-powered candles instead of real ones this Halloween. The fire service highlighted that one in eight fires start from naked flames like candles, cigarettes, and matches, making Halloween a high-risk period for such incidents.

Kate Saint, head of prevention at the fire service, emphasized the importance of switching to battery-operated candles to prevent decorations and costumes from catching fire. She explained that using battery-powered tealights in pumpkins reduces the risk of accidents if they are knocked over or left on overnight.

The fire service also warned about the flammability of children's Halloween costumes and urged people to be cautious. They advised the public to share their story ideas with BBC Somerset on various platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp.

In related news, the fire service highlighted the popularity of pumpkin trails and Halloween-themed events in the region, as well as the growing trend of social media influencing the craze for pumpkin patches.