Halloween Flammability Precautions
While we all hope to create and enjoy the festive atmosphere of holidays,
certain traditional decorations require safety precautions. Halloween costumes
and decorations are a perfect example. One pictures costumed children visiting
friends and neighbors, carved pumpkins lit with candles, and a fire in
the fireplace or a portable heater turned on to ward off the brisk autumn
chill.
This enjoyable setting contains a number of fire hazards. Three factors
must be present at the same time for any material to burn: a source of ignition,
a supply of fuel, and an adequate supply of oxygen. Fireplaces, heaters
and lit candles are major sources of ignition. Most home-made costumes are
made from organic materials and other fabrics that are combustible. They
can fuel a fire. Once started, this fire will be sustained by the air around
us.
Take the following precautions to keep your child's Halloween safe and fun.
If you put a lighted candle in your pumpkin, place this decoration out of
the reach of children and away from their costumes. Inside a window (away
from the curtains), on the mantle of a fireplace or on a high piece of furniture
is much safer than outside on your doorstep or inside on your refreshment
table.
Make sure indoor fires are properly screened and portable heaters are kept
away from traffic areas.
If your child wants to wear a store-bought costume, check its accessories,
such as wigs or masks, for flame-retardant labels. If you are making a small
child's costume, you might consider starting with flame-retardant sleepwear.
This conveniently provides a safe base for a clown, bunny, angel, or devil
costume.
Think about construction details for a child who is too big for sleepers
or has a different type of costume in mind. Be aware that free flowing,
loosely constructed clothing and fabrics with a napped or brushed surface
will burn more rapidly than clothing that is tightly constructed. Clothing
that is closer to our body is also safer because we tend to be more aware
of it and move better in it.
If you would like to reduce the flammability of a home-sewn costume, Professor
Herb Barndt of the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, recommends
dipping the fabric in a solution of water and five percent boric acid. This
fire-retardant is not permanent and will come out as soon as the fabric is
cleaned. He only recommends this treatment for inexpensive costuming because
it is sometimes difficult to control the PH factor, which if not properly
controlled, could lead to deterioration of the fabric.
Understanding these protective methods can help us all have a happy and safe
Halloween.
Source: Philadelphia College of Textiles and Sciences.
References:
Joseph, Marjory L. INTRODUCTORY TEXTILE SCIENCE, 5th ed. New York: CBS College Publishing. 1986.
"Textile Flammability," Stasia Brokaw, Associate Professor,
Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science.
Herb Barndt, Associate Professor, Philadelphia College of Textiles and
Science.
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Updated 10/18/05