While Halloween can be a fun time for the whole family, there are some safety tips that the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue would like you to keep in mind.
“Annually, fire and rescue departments, across the country, report fatal fires involving haunted houses, corn mazes and similar haunted-house type structures and environments,” stated a release.
Here are some safety precautions you should take with haunted houses and carnivals, from a release:
Highly flammable materials such as cotton batting, straw, dried plant material, certain plastics, etc. shall not be used for decorations or construction.
Avoid use of combustible materials in displays. If used, combustibles must be treated with an approved commercial flame-retardant treatment. Samples of all such materials must be submitted to this office for flame tests prior to use.
Extension cords, multi-plug adapters, and unfused plug strips are not permitted. Only circuit breaker strips or code approved wiring is permitted.
If any walls, partitions, or raised flooring are to be constructed, approval by the Department of Public Works will be required (703-792-6830).
Depending on where the activity is located, approval from the Zoning Division of the Planning Office through a Temporary Activities Permit (TAP) review process may be required (703-792-7615).
Call the Fire Marshal’s Office for an inspection at least 48 hours prior to opening your display to the public (703-792-6360).
Maintain all exits in a clear and useable condition.
Know the location of the nearest fire extinguishers and how to use them.
Know the location of the nearest alarm box.
Make sure a telephone is available to call the fire department and that everyone knows the emergency number: 9-1-1.
Develop an Emergency Evacuation and Fire Safety Plan, plan document is part of application packet.
A permit, from the Fire Marshal’s Office, is required for a haunted house or carnival. In addition, an application process is required for haunted houses and carnivals.
