THE ILLINOIS STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE IS ENCOURAGING THE PUBLIC TO KEEP SAFETY IN MIND WHEN DECORATING FOR FALL AND HALLOWEEN. 

TO ENSURE YOU HAVE A SAFE TRICK OR TREATING AND FALL SEASON, FIRE MARSHAL SPOKESPERSON J-C FULTZ RECOMMENDS BEING CAREFUL WITH CANDLES AND CHOOSING COSTUMES THAT DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TRAILING FABRIC.

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION, AN AVERAGE OF 770 HOME STRUCTURE FIRES BEGIN WITH DECORATIONS THAT WERE TOO CLOSE TO A HEAT SOURCE EACH YEAR ACROSS THE U-S.

FULTZ SAYS YOU ALSO NEED TO BE CAREFUL WITH DRIED FLOWERS, CORNSTALKS AND CREPE PAPER WHICH CAN CATCH FIRE EASILY. STAY AWAY FROM LONG TRAILING FABRIC ON HALLOWEEN COSTUMES WHICH CAN ALSO CATCH ON FIRE AND TEACH KIDS TO STAY AWAY FROM OPEN FLAMES.