With Halloween just around the corner, and the celebrating already taking place in locations like haunted houses, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office is voicing its concerns that are focused on safety.
The office's Public Affairs Director, Ashley Rodrigue, notes that in New Orleans the Halloween decorations can be, "Quite elaborate."
She advises that in the name of safety, "To stay away from using open flames," but opt instead for luminaries that are battery operated to reduce the risk of fire.
Rodrigue also says that as you put up your decorations for Halloween to make sure the exits to your home are clear, "so if something goes wrong to be able to exit very quickly and not have to figure how to get out in a panic."
As far as regulated haunted houses are concerned, they are mandated to take a number of safety precautions to protect their visitors.
Rodrigue says, "We know there's lots of darkness, there's lot of flashing lights, there's lot of confusion, that's intended to make the experience more thrilling, but sometimes those things can be a hindrance to knowing that something is wrong."
