U.S. Fire Administration

TOPICAL FIRE RESEARCH SERIES

Volume 1, Issue 1

October 2000 (Rev. December 2001)

Halloween Fires

FINDINGS

S Over a 3-day period around Halloween, a 3-year average of 15,500

fires caused $92 million in property loss, 45 deaths, and 175 injuries.

S Many Halloween fires, especially those in vacant or abandoned buildings, are the result of arson. Alcohol or drugs were a factor in 20% of

these fires.

S Open flame fires increases by 50% over this period, largely due to the

increased use of candles.

S Some communities have adopted fire-related “watch” programs during

the Halloween period, with some success.

Sources: NFPA and NFIRS
On both Halloween and the evening before, popularly called ”Devil’s Night,” the

occurrence of fire increases in both structures and outdoors. As Halloween has typically

been associated with activities and cultural icons related to mischief, it is not surprising

to find that the origin of many these fires is suspicious or incendiary. In fact, arson fires

on these days are nearly 10 percent higher than the national average (Figure 1).

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700 1/1

1/151/292/122/263/123/26

4/9

4/23

5/7

5/21

6/4

6/18

7/2

716

7/308/138/279/109/2410/8

10/22

11/5

11/19

12/3

12/1712/31

Incidents

Figure 1. Incendiary and Suspicious Fires

(all reported fires, NFIRS analysis, 1998 data)

Some communities have had significant incidences of Devil’s Night and Halloween

arson fires. In 1994, Detroit, Michigan, experienced a record number of Devil’s Night

arson fires. Since then, Detroit and other communities throughout the nation have initiated programs to report suspicious activity around the area on the nights of October 29,

30, and 31.1

Although Devil’s Night and Halloween arson are often targeted at abandoned buildings and vacant lots, previous studies and current NFIRS analysis show that the estimated

property loss in dollars during this time (10/30–11/1) is somewhat higher than the rest of

the year.

2 Also, during this time period, there are a slightly lower incidence of injuries

and a higher incidence of fatalities (Figure 2).

3-YEAR AVERAGE 30 OCT–1 NOV

Dollar Loss/Incident

Injuries/1,000 Incidents

Fatalities/1,000 Incidents

$5,619

15.7

2.4

$6,944

13.5

3.1

MEASURE

Figure 2. Loss Measures for Halloween Fires

(1996–1998)

In addition to an increased incidence of arson, the Halloween period also generally

experiences an increase in fires caused by open flame, which is related to the increase use

of candles at this time of the year. Overall, 0.6 percent of all fires are caused by candles

in contrast to 0.9 percent of fires between 10/30 and 11/1 (3-year average).
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Although the scope of its involvement is difficult to quantify from NFIRS, substance

abuse has a proven role in contributing to violent crime, including arson. In a 2 -year

study of 675 instances of

structure arson, alcohol or drugs were a factor in nearly 20 percent of fires.

3 This

may contribute to the increased incidence of fires on Halloween given the popularity of

costume parties or other celebrations where alcohol is served.

Candles are a popular home decoration, both in jack -o -lanterns and alone. Some

Halloween novelty candles have been recalled in recent years due to safety concerns over

the height of the flames they produce. One candle, recalled in 1996, was shaped like a

hand, with a wick in each fingertip. When lit, the wicks could combine to produce flames

more than 6 inches high.4 Another candle, intended for use inside a jack -o -lantern, was

recalled in 1999 because it also produced a high flame.5

Candles can be dangerous, especially when left unattended, so their use as decorations is discouraged. Also, children should not be allowed to carry candles; other light

sources such as flashlights should be subsitituted.

Other holiday home decorations, including crepe paper and dried flowers, are also

highly flammable and should be kept far from potential heat sources (e.g. candles,

lights). Many ready-made costumes are flame resistant, but home-made ones are not. If

ignited, such costumes have the potential to cause severe burns.

Over the 3-year period 1996–1998, an average of 15,500 fires occurred between

October 30 and November 1. These fires caused 45 deaths, 175 injuries, and $92 million

in losses.6

NOTES

1. The Detroit News, October 19, 1995.

2. A Profile of the Seasonal Nature of Fires, U.S. Fire Administration, to be published.

3. The Connection Among Drugs, Alcohol, and Arson in Minnesota, U.S. Fire Administration, April

1998.

4. Consumer Product Safety Commission, November 6, 1996.

5. Ibid., October 13, 1999.

6. National estimates are based on National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data (1996–98) and

the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) annual survey, Fire Loss in the United States.

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