Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) issued a fire-safety advisory on Oct. 16 urging Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay families to swap real candles for battery-operated ones and choose flame-retardant costumes ahead of Halloween on Saturday, Oct. 31.

An annual average of 835 home fires start with decorations, and roughly one-third of those are caused by candles, according to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) data cited in MDFR's 2025 Halloween guidance. Those fires cause an estimated $14 million in direct property damage each year.

Decorations

MDFR's safety guidance says residents should keep flammable decorations like crepe paper, tissue paper and dried flowers away from open flames and heat sources. Battery-operated candles or glow sticks are safer for lighting pumpkins. Real candles and open-flame lanterns should be avoided, especially around children in costumes.

Costumes

The department recommends costumes, wigs and accessories labeled flame-retardant. Non-toxic face paint is safer than masks, which can block a child's vision. Long or loose costumes create tripping hazards, and oversized shoes or high heels add risk. Props should be soft and flexible rather than sharp or rigid.

Street and trick-or-treat safety

Families should stick to well-lit streets and sidewalks. Where no sidewalk exists, MDFR advises walking on the side facing oncoming traffic. Drivers should slow down and stay alert in residential areas.

Young children should be accompanied by an adult. Older kids should travel in small groups and stick to a planned route in familiar areas. Flashlights and glow sticks help with visibility after dark. Reflective tape on costumes and treat bags makes trick-or-treaters easier for drivers to spot.

At home

Before the holiday, MDFR recommends testing smoke alarms, reviewing the family fire escape plan and keeping an ABC-rated fire extinguisher accessible. Everyone in the household should know two ways out of each room.

Adults should inspect all candy before children eat it and discard any homemade or unwrapped items.

Cutler Bay Spooktacular

Families looking for a controlled setting can attend the Cutler Bay Halloween Spooktacular on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Cutler Ridge Park, 10100 SW 200 St. The event features trunk-or-treat, a costume contest, a Halloween golf cart parade, inflatables, food trucks and a live DJ. Costume contest sign-up closes at 6:45 p.m. the day of the event, with spots limited to 25 participants per age group.

For more information about the Spooktacular, residents can contact Maria Herrera-Mendoza at [email protected] or (786) 459-7389.