The good news: Deaths from home fires in the U.S. have trended downward since the 1970s, according to Injury Facts , but even one death from a preventable fire is too many. While fire doesn’t discriminate by age, it is the third leading cause of death for children 1 to 14.
When cooking, make fire safety a priority by keeping these tips in mind:
• Be alert; if you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the oven or stovetop
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling or broiling food
• When simmering, baking or roasting, check the food regularly, remain in the kitchen while cooking and use a timer
• Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stovetop
Heating is the second leading cause of home fires. Follow these tips:
• Keep all flammables, like paper, clothing, bedding, drapes or rugs, at least 3 feet from a space heater, stove or fireplace
• Never leave portable heaters and fireplaces unattended; turn off heaters and make sure fireplace embers are extinguished before leaving the room
• If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, nonflammable surface, like ceramic tile, not on a rug or carpet
• Keep children and pets away from space heaters
• When buying a space heater, look for models that shut off automatically if the heater falls over
Other top causes of fire include smoking, electrical problems and candles. To minimize risks:
• Institute a “no smoking” policy in the house
• Check all cords and replace any that are frayed or have bare wires
• Switch to flameless candles
• Keep matches and lighters high and out of children’s reach in a locked cabinet ...continued on next page
WORKING SMOKE ALARMS ARE A MUST
About three out of five fire deaths happen in homes without working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan providing early warning to reduce your risk of dying in a fire. The National Fire Protection Association recommends you:
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas on the ceiling or high on the wall
• Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen, at least 10 feet from the stove, to reduce false alarms
• Use special alarms with strobe lights and bed shakers for people who are hard of hearing or deaf
• Test smoke alarms monthly
• Replace batteries in your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector annually
• Replace smoke alarms that are 10 or more years old MAKE AN ESCAPE
PLAN
One home structure fire is reported every 95 seconds, according to Injury Facts. Once the smoke alarm sounds, a fire can spread quickly, leaving only a minute or two to escape. That’s why it’s so important to have a home escape plan.
Start by drawing a map for your home and follow these guidelines:
• Plan two ways to escape from each room
• Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily
• Identify secondary routes: a window onto an adjacent roof or a collapsible ladder from a second floor window
• If you live in a multi-story building, plan to use the stairs – never the elevator
• Designate an outside meeting place a safe distance from the house NOW PRACTICE YOUR HOME FIRE ESCAPE
PLAN
Everyone – including children – need to know your family escape plan. The National Fire Protection Association indicates 71% of Americans have a home fire escape plan but only 47% have practiced it. Practice your fire drill with everyone in the house at night and during the day, twice a year. Remember to:
• Practice getting out with eyes closed, crawling low to the floor and keeping your mouth covered
• Practice closing doors behind you
• Practice how to “stop, drop and roll” if your clothes catch on fire
• Practice testing door handles to see if they are hot before opening them
• Teach children never to hide and how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them
WHEN AND HOW TO USE FIRE EXTINGUISHER
Always put your safety first; if you are not confident in your ability to use a fire extinguisher, get out and call 9-1-1. The American Red Cross cautions you to evaluate the situation and ensure:
• Everyone has left or is leaving the home
• The fire department has been called
• The fire is small, not spreading, with minimal smoke
• Your back is to an exit you can use quickly
Remember the acronym PASS:
• Pull the pin.
• Aim low at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the handle slowly.
• Sweep the nozzle side to side.
Emergency Readiness Plans
What To Know – And Do – To Be Prepared
07.27.2025 | Safety & Health
Workplace emergencies can occur anywhere, at any time.
“Whether you’re a small-business owner or a large-business owner, it’s important to start thinking about the plans that you have in place to prepare for both natural and man-made disasters as soon as possible,” said Jaclyn Rothenberg, former director of public affairs and planning for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Here’s what you need to know to build an effective workplace emergency readiness plan.
KNOW THE RISKS
“Your safety plan could be the difference between chaos and control,” OSHA says. A risk assessment is a crucial first step.
“You need to know what threats you’re planning for, the likelihood of them and their potential impact,” said Amy Seymour, chief port security and emergency operations officer at Port Houston. “Whether it’s a hurricane, flood, tornado or winter weather, knowing what your organization is up against is key before you create your emergency plan.”
Ready.gov offers risk assessment resources for potential events and hazards, including flooding, earthquakes, hurricanes, landslides and even volcanic activity.
As you begin to envision the potential hazards, think about building-related factors such as construction, processes and possible deficiencies. For example, does your building have a sprinkler system? If not, it’ll be more susceptible to fire damage.
“Each hazard could have many possible scenarios happening within or because of it,” the website states.
Seymour recommends including a diverse group of departments to form and conduct the risk assessment.
Rick Vulpitta is the former environmental, health and safety manager at Trialco Aluminum LLC and co-author of the National Safety Council’s “On-Site Emergency Response Planning Guide.” He encourages employers to develop charts related to each possible emergency.
“You want to plan for emergencies before they happen,” Vulpitta said. “Do your research. Contact your fire department and local county government emergency response agency and get a history of the disasters and emergencies during the last 50 years.
“They can assist, too, in learning what happened in the past to help you plan for today and tomorrow. Rate the type, frequency, length and impact it would have on your business’s operation, and then you can start planning how to mitigate each disaster and emergency. You’ll find weather emergencies, electric power, water, food and transportation disruptions will need to be addressed and considered because they’ll cause issues lasting several days to a couple of weeks to return to normal operations.”
CREATE PROCEDURES
OSHA’s standard on emergency action plans (1910.38) requires employers to designate and train workers to assist in safe evacuations. Employers also must review the emergency action plan with all workers covered by it.
Organizations with more than 10 employees must develop a written plan, while those with fewer workers can communicate it orally.
Start with simple and clear procedures so that “everybody understands what they need to do,” Seymour said. “Make sure everyone understands their role and responsibilities, and make sure it’s easy to follow. And as an organization grows or as the program itself develops, you can introduce more complexity to it.”
Ready.gov directs employers to form a team to “direct the evacuation of the building and account for all employees outside at a safe location.”
Teams should include a leader, wardens and searchers for each floor, stairwell and elevator monitors, aides for workers with disabilities, and monitors for the assembly area. Additional team members are required for organizations with multiple shifts.
Rothenberg notes that some severe-weather emergencies – such as tornadoes – require workers to shelter in place. Ensure an emergency kit with a flashlight, water and other essential supplies is available. Also, designate a person to monitor news reports for any updates to emergency instructions.
Whether the scenario requires workers to evacuate or move to a designated onsite shelter, employees need regular retraining, Vulpitta stressed. Workers should understand their role in an emergency and how to exit the building in multiple different ways.
They should also know to stay in the designated assembly area so they can be accounted for. Vulpitta said the fire department, before fighting a fire, will conduct a search and rescue if anyone is missing during a roll call.
If visitors or contractors are onsite, assist them in evacuating to the assembly area, NSC’s planning guide states.
COMMUNICATION AND TRAINING
OSHA 1910.38(d) requires employers to maintain an employee alarm system that uses a “distinctive signal” for each emergency.
Experts recommend supplementing alarm systems with additional backup communication, whether through publicaddress announcements, phone trees, or email or text alerts.
“Communication is critical in any type of emergency,” Seymour said. “Having a person who is in charge of that communication is the most important thing that you can do.
“It’s important to have different approaches so that you can reach more people. If you have a large facility, you’re going to want to have a multifaceted alert system that will help you get that messaging out.”
Experts stress that the communication process must be ongoing throughout the emergency.
“To many people, the fortune is in the follow-up,” Seymour said. “Making sure that you’re communicating the before, the during and the after of the event. Sometimes, people just want to know everything is fine. If there’s something that’s not fine, then you’ll want to make sure that you’re communicating to people the timeline for the recovery and an estimation of when normal operation is estimated to resume.”
Seymour adds that “your communication is only as good as your training.” She recommends employers conduct emergency response training at least annually or as people change key roles or responsibilities. Seymour also supports regular refresher training, including short video clips that allow workers to sharpen their awareness yet keep their attention.
Drills will help keep employees sharp as well, Vulpitta said, as they allow workers an opportunity for repetition and familiarization.
Vulpitta recommends asking the fire department to observe drills and offer input. He also encourages employers to simulate different situations. Hold an evacuation drill without the use of the alarm. This will help develop a stronger plan and give workers the confidence to continue to exit if an alarm goes down.
“The better you can prepare employees, the better they’ll respond in an actual event,” Vulpitta said.
Fire Protection Safety Fact Sheet
FIRE PREVENTION PLANS
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1910.39, employers must create a fire prevention plan. Employers with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plans orally. Employers with 11 or more employees must have plans that are:
• Written.
• Kept in the workplace.
• Available for employees to review. The plan must list:
• All major fire hazards on site.
• Proper handling & storage procedures for hazardous materials.
• Potential ignition sources and their control.
• Types of fire protection equipment needed to control each major hazard.
• Procedures for controlling buildup of flammable and combustible waste materials.
SMOKE ALARMS
• Contact the local fire department to determine your building’s fire alarm requirements.
• Install smoke alarms or smoke detectors on every level of a building, including the basement, ceilings, and high walls.
• Test smoke alarms and smoke detectors once a month according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Replace batteries once a year or as soon as the smoke alarm or smoke detector chirps to indicate that the battery is low.
• Replace smoke alarms -- even those that are hardwired or have long-life batteries – every 10 years. Have a qualified electrician install hard-wired fire alarms.
EVACUATION PLANS
Fire can race through a structure in a matter of minutes, threatening the lives of those inside and leaving a devastating impact on businesses. From 2018-2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported nearly 500 work-related deaths due to fires or explosions in the United States.
These tips can help employers and employees avoid workplace fires or explosions:
• Avoid storing or stockpiling flammable materials, such as packaging materials or waste, both inside and outside of a business premises.
• Make sure all machinery is kept clean and properly serviced.
• If possible, turn machinery off when not in use or when the business is closed.
• Install a suitable fire alarm system -- such as a remotely serviced alarm system, sprinkler system, or thermal or smoke alarm -- and test and service the system routinely.
• If your business stores dangerous chemicals or materials, use and store them per federal, state, and local requirements.
• Make sure all employees and responsible parties are trained in your fire prevention, evacuation, and contingency plans.
• Procedures for regularly inspecting, maintaining, and testing safeguards installed on heat-producing equipment to prevent accidental ignition of combustible materials.
• Job titles of employees responsible for maintaining equipment to prevent or control sources of ignition or fires.
• Job titles of employees responsible for controlling fuelsource hazards.
CONTINGENCY PLANS
• Create a contingency plan to protect and restore important hard-copy and electronic information, like supplier and client lists, business contracts, and insurance details.
• Include a designated, secure, off-site location for storing the information and a person who is responsible for maintaining and updating the information.
Develop and practice a basic fire evacuation plan, so employees know what to do when an alarm sounds. Employers should involve as many people as practical in putting together the plan. As part of the plan, have employees:
• Study posted evacuation plans.
• Learn two ways out of each work area.
• Count the number of desks or workstations between their work area and the nearest two exits
• Designate people responsible for helping employees with temporary or permanent mobility limitations.
• Designate an outside meeting place where everyone can gather after they have evacuated.
• Have a system to account for everyone in the building.
• Train employees when they are first hired and every year after.
Practice the evacuation plan at least twice a year.
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FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
A portable fire extinguisher can quickly put out a small fire or control a larger one until the fire department arrives. If portable fire extinguishers are part of your business’s emergency plan, provide the right type and an adequate number of extinguishers. Mount them in readily accessible locations, and regularly recharge and inspect them.
Employees chosen and trained to use a fire extinguisher must:
• Know how to operate the extinguisher before a fire breaks out.
• Should only operate a fire extinguisher if they have a clear escape route and are comfortable handling the situation.
• Start using the extinguisher 6 to 8 feet away from the fire and then move closer as the fire shrinks.
To use a fire extinguisher, remember the word “PASS” while holding the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you:
• Pull the pin.
• Aim low, pointing the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the lever.
• Sweep the nozzle from side to side.
FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
Properties with fire sprinkler systems have a 32% lower civilian death rate and a 35% lower firefighter injury rate than properties without an extinguishing system.2 To keep a sprinkler system effective:
• Check the system’s control valves, air, and water pressure as required.
• Protect sprinkler heads with metal guards if exposed to potential physical damage.
• Assign the task of testing and maintaining the sprinklers to a sprinkler contractor or other qualified, designated person.
OTHER FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS
While automatic sprinkler systems work by spraying water toward detected heat and fire, other fixed fire suppression systems work by filling areas – like areas that have important electrical equipment – with a gas or chemical agent to quickly put out the fire. OSHA’s Fire Extinguishing Systems
General Standard 29 CFR 1910.160 regulates any fixed system that could expose employees to injury, death, or negative health risks due to these extinguishing agents, regardless of why it was installed.
All employers with a fixed extinguishing system installed to meet a particular OSHA standard – except automatic sprinkler systems, which are covered by 29 CFR 1910.159 – must comply with the standard. (Systems installed in areas where employees are not potentially exposed to an extinguishing agent are exempt.)
The Fire Extinguishing Standard outlines requirements for the following specific types of extinguishing agents used:
• Dry chemicals, 29 CFR 1910.161.
• Gaseous agents, 29 CFR 1910.162.
• Water spray and foam. 29 CFR 1910.163. Fixed fire extinguishing system components and agents must be designed and approved for use on the specific fire hazards they are expected to control or extinguish.
To keep employees safe when using automatic fire suppression systems – particularly the total flooding type that can reduce oxygen and create toxic atmospheres –employers must properly operate and regularly maintain and test the systems. Key requirements include:
• Inspect each system annually.
• Make sure systems are always turned on except during repairs or maintenance.
• Tell employees what measures to follow if the system breaks.
• Have defects fixed by trained personnel.
• Provide training and retraining as needed.
• Designate employees who inspect, maintain, operate, or repair the systems.
For areas protected by total flooding systems, which work by filling an enclosed space with carbon dioxide, Halon 1211, or other agents that pose a serious health hazard:
• Post warning signs at the entrances to these areas.
• Provide an emergency action plan per 29 CFR 1910.38 to give employees a safe way to evacuate.
Safety at Work: The First 90 days
03.23.2025 | Safety & Health
KEY POINTS
• In 2021 and 2022, nearly 278,000 employees experienced an incident that resulted in days away from work in their first 90 days on the job.
• Explaining work requirements and their associated risks in job postings and asking safety-related questions during the interview process sends the message that worker safety is a priority.
• Establishing best practices for worker safety, continuously communicating about how to stay safe and developing relationships with workers can help safety pros protect new hires.
Advice for people starting a new job is often simple: “Make a good impression. Be a hard worker.”
Although helpful, this advice overlooks a crucial aspect for a newcomer in the workplace: safety.
In 2021 and 2022, nearly 278,000 employees experienced an incident that resulted in days away from work – in their first 90 days on the job. That’s according to Injury Facts, an online source of preventable death and injury statistics compiled by the National Safety Council.
“The data says that it’s among the most dangerous times in someone’s career,” said Larry Pearlman, president and founder of Safety and Consulting Associates Inc., an affiliate of SafeStart.
Chris Hayes, assistant vice president of transportation and workers’ compensation risk control at insurance provider The Travelers Cos., says many of these injuries can be prevented with proper precautions, training and onboarding.
“That first 90 days is critical,” Hayes said. “That’s when you’re cementing that employee’s access to the right safety tools, the right resources, getting them involved in corporate culture, and helping them work through any misconceptions or gaps in communication that might be arising.”
ECOSAFE RANGE
WHEN AND WHERE TO BEGIN
So, when should the process of keeping new workers safe begin? At the very moment an applicant learns about your organization’s job opening, Pearlman says.
“Let’s start before they start,” he said. “Do the job descriptions, the job postings and the employment board talk about safety? Do they give a realistic preview of what the job is going to be like and some of the risks?”
The goal isn’t to scare off prospective employees, but instead to thoroughly explain job requirements (being able to lift a certain amount of weight, for example) and potential risks.
Pearlman said some employers use YouTube videos to show applicants “what people actually do and what the work environment is.” Then comes the interview.
“Do we ask safety-related questions? It can’t be an afterthought,” Pearlman said, suggesting a question about a time the job candidate chose to follow – or not follow – a safety rule and why. “Introduce the concept of safety so that in the selection process, you’re thinking about safety and you’re evaluating people against safety.”
Pearlman, who also has worked in human resources, encourages employers to let current workers weigh in on potential new hires to build a “sense of shared responsibility.”
THE ROLE OF A SAFETY PRO
During a typical onboarding process, new employees get lots of information thrown at them.
How can safety be an essential – and memorable – part of those conversations?
“If we knew the answer to that question, we’d have a lot less injuries,” said Peter Smith, president and senior scientist at the Toronto-based Institute for Work and Health.
While trying to learn the ropes of the job, new hires are also trying to remember the names of their supervisors and co-workers, adjust to the work environment, and choose
the right employer-provided health insurance plan, among many other details. Taken together, all this information can be overwhelming.
“There’s stress and distraction,” said Rich Ives, senior vice president of business insurance claim at Travelers. “I’ve seen numerous examples over the years of severe injuries from new employees trying to do the right thing and trying to be a good employee, but not understanding exactly how the operation works.”
Ives recommends that safety pros and employers send clear messages about the importance of the organization’s safety culture, work to develop good relationships with all employees, establish best practices regarding safety and keep lines of communication open.
“The message that every worker’s safety is important has to come from Day 1 – not just in response to injuries,” Smith said. “That sets the tone from the very beginning that we value safety within this workplace.”
In its “2024 Injury Impact Report,” which used data from more than 1.2 million workers’ comp claims submitted from businesses and industries between 2017 and 2021, Travelers shows that employees in their first year on the job accounted for 35% of the claims. This group, however, made up only 24% of the workforce, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Training plays a key role, especially when a strong safety plan is in place.
“Unless there’s a well-understood, well-documented and well-communicated safety plan already, you really don’t know what to train people on as they come in,” Hayes said.
That includes defining safe work practices for all critical tasks, examining prior injuries and highlighting “hot spots” on the jobsite.
“Spend the time building up the structures so you have those things well-defined,” Hayes said. “It absolutely helps.”
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STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS
Certain industries have high rates of worker turnover. That means getting new hires up to speed is a necessity. One technique Pearlman uses to help keep those new employees safe is to let others know who’s “green” on the jobsite.
“I may give them a green vest, a green shirt, a green hard hat,” Pearlman said. The clothing says, “‘Hey, this person is new and they’re not going to understand the risk.’ So, we together are going to help them.”
Pearlman urges employers and safety pros not to settle for PowerPoint presentations to drive home the importance of safety. “This is an interactive and iterative process,” he said, emphasizing that employers should go beyond ongoing training for new workers by verifying for certification and competency. “A lot of it comes down to: Training is not enough. It’s got to be training plus certification, and it’s got to be risk awareness rather than regulations.
“The safety professional has a huge role on what the competencies are that need to be embedded in that individual to prove they’re safe.”
When a new worker demonstrates competency, celebrate it as an achievement.
“I’m going to retire the green hard hat. I’m going to retire the green vest,” Pearlman said. “Let’s make a big deal of it. Here’s someone we know is safe. Congratulations!”
Job shadowing or mentoring also can pay dividends.
“That works in two ways,” Smith said. “One, if you’ve got a good role model, then you’ll follow those safety guidelines. Two, it demonstrates to workers that we’re prepared to pay you just to shadow someone, because we think safety is important.”
SHOWING THE WAY
Seeing a demonstration of how a job is done safely can help new hires. A company Hayes worked with last year stocks grocery stores around the country and has a regular flow of new workers. The job entails a specific set of tasks that include traveling to a store, unloading the product, moving it into the facility and setting it up.
“They defined exactly the right way to do each of those steps,” Hayes said.
From there, the company got feedback from employees and managers. Whether it was lifting, carrying or moving the product, the employer worked to make “really tight definitions of the best ways to do it safely.” Using video, the steps were documented with narration to ensure uniformity and consistency throughout the company.
“It was a great tool,” Hayes said. “People appreciated having the understanding of what was expected of them and how to do it safely. The definitions took out that doubt and uncertainty that goes into those early days of a new job.”
Focusing on new workers performing tasks safely can make the process less stressful.
“It’s not that we don’t employ new people because they get injured,” Smith said. “When you do, ensure they’re safe. That’s the message we want to get across.
“We can’t change newness, but you can put systems in place to ensure those new workers aren’t exposed to hazards without protections.”
Beware of Imitators: NIOSH Cautions About ‘Misrepresented’ Respirators
09.19.2025 | Safety + Health
Washington — NIOSH has issued a warning about counterfeit or “misrepresented” respirators that may not provide adequate protection.
A new fact sheet from the agency, which is responsible for the approval and testing of respirators, defines counterfeit respirators as products that try to copy an actual NIOSHapproved model. “Misrepresented” respirators, meanwhile, are falsely marketed and sold as NIOSH-approved respirators when they’re not.
These respirator “may not provide the advertised level of protection, putting workers at risk,” NIOSH cautions.
The fact sheet includes tips for identifying approved respirators, filters and cartridges. It also provides the following recommendations for purchasing respirators from third-party marketplaces:
• Be skeptical of claims that use terms such as “legitimate” and “genuine.”
• Beware of products that highlight part numbers and avoid using an approval holder’s name.
• Check if the seller consistently offers the same products over time, not only trending items.
• Monitor frequent price changes.
• Beware of sellers advertising “unlimited stock” during shortages.
• Ensure the seller adheres to marketplace policies and provides contact information.
• Review transaction history and customer feedback.
• Beware of claims that a filter or cartridge can be used on a NIOSH-approved respirator.
NIOSH’s advice for evaluating websites that sell respirators:
• Verify if the contact email is linked to the website, not a free email service.
• Watch for bad grammar, typos, mixed-up names/ logos, unfinished content, blank pages, broken links and other errors.
• Be cautious of misspelled domain names (domain squatting).
To contact NIOSH about counterfeit or “misrepresented” respirators, email the agency at ppeconcerns@cdc.gov. The report should include the company name on the respirator, the respirator model or part number, photos of the respirator and its packaging, the NIOSH approval number, and the URL where the respirator was purchased or found.
HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS
TRICK-OR-TREAT IN GROUPS OR WITH TRUSTED ADULTS
importance of safety on Halloween. Plan and discuss the route they intend to take and set a curfew for their return. Equally crucial is ensuring they have a cellphone with them so they can easily contact you in case of an emergency or if they need help.
By following this Halloween safety tip, you strike a balance between granting them some freedom and ensuring they remain safe during their Halloween adventures. It’s a winwin for both parents and teens, as kids get to enjoy the spooky fun while you maintain peace of mind.
OPT FOR FACE PAINT OR MAKEUP OVER MASKS
While masks can complete a costume’s look and add an element of intrigue to Halloween, they can also pose safety concerns. Masks can restrict a child’s vision, making it difficult for them to see potential hazards or oncoming traffic. To ensure their safety, consider using face paint or makeup instead. Not only do these alternatives allow for clear vision, but they also offer endless creative possibilities for crafting unique costumes.
Whether your child wants to be a magical witch, a dashing pirate, or a friendly ghost, face paint or makeup can be their canvas for self-expression and ensure a safer, more enjoyable Halloween night.
ADD REFLECTIVE ELEMENTS TO COSTUMES
As the sun sets and Halloween festivities continue into the evening, visibility becomes even more important. To increase children’s visibility while they’re trick-or-treating, fasten reflective tape, badges or accessories to costumes. For an added safety boost, provide your child with a flashlight. These simple outfit additions can ensure your kids are able to see clearly in the dark but also that they’re seen by others – especially drivers.
INSPECT TREATS CAREFULLY
Halloween is just around the corner, and from choosing the perfect costume to collecting a bag full of treats, it’s a memorable night. As parents, caregivers and community members, ensuring that children and teens have a fun Halloween while staying safe is vital. To help you make this Halloween a safe and enjoyable experience, we’ve compiled ten crucial Halloween safety tips every parent and caregiver needs to know.
From the importance of practicing moderation to the need for well-lit houses and visible costumes, each tip is a step toward a safer and more enjoyable Halloween night. Explore our expert Halloween safety tips below.
One of the most critical aspects of Halloween safety is ensuring that children are never alone while trick-ortreating. Younger children should always be accompanied by a trusted adult or an older sibling. Trick-or-treating in a group not only adds to the fun but also enhances safety.
SET GROUND RULES FOR OLDER KIDS
While Halloween is an exciting time for children of all ages, older kids may want a bit more independence during the festivities. To ensure their safety, it’s essential to establish clear ground rules. Talk with your older children about the
Before indulging in the Halloween loot, take a few moments to inspect the treats your children have gathered. For younger children, look for potential choking hazards, such as small candies or toys, and remove them. For youth of all ages, check for any signs of tampering, such as opened or torn wrappers, and promptly discard any suspicious items. Then, remind kids not to eat homemade treats received from strangers. Encourage children to understand the importance of inspecting their treats and to trust their instincts. If something doesn’t look quite right, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
By teaching them to be cautious about the goodies they consume, you’re instilling valuable lessons in vigilance and personal safety. Halloween should be all about treats, not tricks!
MANAGE CANDY CONSUMPTION
Halloween candy is a delightful treat, but encourage your children to pace themselves and avoid overindulgence in one sitting. This not only prevents tummy aches but also promotes balanced nutrition.
It’s perfectly okay for children to enjoy their favorite treats, but it’s equally important to savor them slowly over time. This simple lesson in moderation not only promotes physical wellbeing but also ensures that the joy of Halloween can last as long as possible.
USE SAFE WALKING PRACTICES
Streets on Halloween night can be crowded and bustling with excitement, so safe walking practices are essential. Whether walking on sidewalks or paths, ensure that your children are always aware of their surroundings. If there are no sidewalks available, instruct them to walk facing oncoming traffic, staying as close to the curb or side of the road as possible. Remind them to look both ways before crossing streets and to never run into the road.
These simple but crucial safety practices help prevent accidents, ensuring a fun and incident-free Halloween for everyone.
VISIT WELL-LIT HOUSES ONLY
When guiding your children through the neighborhood on Halloween night, emphasize the importance of visiting well-lit houses. Well-lit homes not only create a more inviting atmosphere but also signal that the residents are actively participating in the Halloween tradition. This safety tip ensures that your children approach houses where they are more likely to be warmly welcomed.
It also helps them steer clear of dark or poorly lit residences, enhancing their overall safety and the quality of their trick-or-treating experience. By sticking to well-lit areas, you provide your children with a sense of security as they collect their yummy treats.
ENSURE PROPER COSTUME FIT
One of the key ingredients for a safe and enjoyable Halloween is ensuring that your child’s costume fits properly. Ill-fitting costumes, masks, or shoes can lead to discomfort and even accidents. Make sure your child’s costume allows for easy movement and doesn’t drag on the ground,
reducing the risk of tripping. If choosing to wear a mask, it should fit securely without obstructing vision or breathing. Well-fitting shoes are essential for walking safely, too.
When costumes fit correctly, your child can focus on having fun, making memories, and staying safe while enjoying the festivities. So, before heading out for trick-or-treating, take a moment to ensure your child’s costume is a perfect fit, both for comfort and safety.
CLEAR YOUR HOME’S PATH
If you plan to welcome trick-or-treaters at your home, make sure that your walkway is clear of potential tripping hazards. Put away garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations, and clear wet leaves, snow or other debris from the sidewalk.
BONUS TIP: BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS DURING POPULAR TRICK-ORTREATING HOURS
Halloween is in full swing during popular trick-or-treating hours, typically from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
If you’re driving during these hours, be extra vigilant for children and families walking. Drive slowly and be prepared for sudden stops or unexpected movements.
As you prepare for Halloween, remember that a balance of fun and safety is key to a memorable and worry-free experience. By following these Halloween safety tips, you can ensure that your children have a fantastic time while remaining safe. Have a safe and Happy Halloween!
Fall Protection No.1 on OSHA’s ‘Top 10’ list for 15th year running 09.16.2025 | Safety & Health
Denver — Fall Protection – General Requirements is OSHA’s most frequently cited standard for the 15th consecutive fiscal year, the agency announced Tuesday during the 2025 NSC Safety Congress & Expo.
Eric Harbin, regional administrator for OSHA’s Dallas Region, presented the preliminary list, which reflects OSHA Information System data from Oct. 1, 2024, to Aug. 12. Safety+Health Associate Editor Kevin Druley moderated the session.
The standards that make up the remainder of the Top 10 remained unchanged from FY 2024, with some movement within their ranking. Lockout/Tagout, which ranked fifth in FY 2024, moved to No. 4, switching places with Respiratory Protection. Fall Protection – Training Requirements and Scaffolding each climbed one spot – to sixth and seventh, respectively, while Powered Industrial Trucks dropped two spots to No. 8.
The full list:
1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501): 5,914 violations
2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200): 2,546
3. Ladders (1926.1053): 2,405
4. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 2,177
5. Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 1,953
“While progress has been made, the consistency in citation rankings year after year signals that yesterday’s hazards are still today’s vulnerabilities,” National Safety Council CEO Lorraine M. Martin said. “Employers, safety professionals and communities must intensify efforts through robust training, regular hazard assessments and leadership accountability to protect workers and save lives.”
6. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503): 1,907
7. Scaffolding (1926.451): 1,905
8. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 1,826
9. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): 1,665
10. Machine Guarding (1910.212): 1,239
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