Keep Halloween Safe in Texas, Don’t Let a Candle Start the Scare

When Halloween Fun Turns Into a Fire Emergency

Here in Round Rock and across Central Texas, families love going all out for Halloween, carving pumpkins, porch lights glowing orange, and spooky decorations filling the yard. But every October, fire departments across Texas respond to a familiar type of emergency: decorations and candles gone wrong.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more than 7,600 home fires a year start with candles. Those fires cause nearly 90 deaths, 670 injuries, and close to $300 million in property damage annually.

And in Texas, where dry air, wood-frame homes, and steady fall winds are common, a single open flame, especially in a pumpkin or near outdoor décor can ignite materials faster than most homeowners expect.

How Candle Fires Really Start (and Why Texas Homes Are at Higher Risk)

Candle fires often start with one small mistake: placing the flame too close to something flammable. The NFPA reports that about 60% of candle fires begin because an item, a curtain, furniture, paper, or décor was too close to the flame.

But in Central Texas, there’s an extra layer of risk:

  • Windy fall evenings can knock over candles or spread sparks from porches and patios.
  • Dry vegetation and wooden fences act as fuel if flames reach outside.
  • Old homes or dense neighborhoods in Round Rock and nearby areas can allow fire to spread faster between properties.

Combine those with Halloween decorations made of synthetic materials (which ignite quickly), and you’ve got a recipe for a real-life horror story.

🕸️ Fire Safety Tips for a Safe, Spooky Night

Halloween shouldn’t be stressful, just safe. Here’s how to enjoy the glow of the season without the risk of a call to 911:

Go Flameless.
Use LED or battery-operated candles instead of open flames. They flicker just like real candles but are 100% safe ,even inside pumpkins.

Keep Candles Clear.
If you must use real ones, keep them at least 12 inches from anything that can burn ,curtains, costumes, paper webs, or hay bales.

Set Candles on Safe Surfaces.
Use heat-resistant holders and place them on solid, non-flammable surfaces like tile, stone, or metal trays, not on wood tables or soft décor.

Mind the Breeze.
Outdoor candles and lanterns should be shielded from the wind. One gust can push the flame into decorations or knock it over.

Never Leave Candles Unattended.
Whether you’re greeting trick-or-treaters or heading to bed, blow out every candle before you walk away.

Keep Kids and Pets Safe.
Children and pets are naturally curious, keep matches, lighters, and candles well out of reach.

Check Smoke Alarms.
Before Halloween night, test your smoke detectors. In case of an emergency, every second counts.

🆘 If the Unexpected Happens: We’re Ready to Help

Even when you take precautions, accidents can happen fast. If your Round Rock home experiences fire, smoke, or soot damage, PuroClean of Round Rock is here 24/7 to respond.

Our certified fire restoration team specializes in:

  • Smoke and soot removal
  • Odor control and air purification
  • Structural drying and mitigation
  • Contents cleaning and deodorization
  • Insurance coordination and claim support

We’re proud to help Round Rock homeowners recover quickly, restoring not just your home, but your peace of mind.

🎃 Keep the Scares Fun, Not Fiery

Let’s keep Halloween’s chills where they belong, in your haunted décor, not in your living room.

At PuroClean of Round Rock, our mission is to help families prevent fires, respond fast when they happen, and recover fully when the unexpected strikes.

📞 (737) 289-5800
🌐 puroclean.com/round-rock-tx

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