Halloween scares should come from costumes and maybe movies (actual scary movies, mind you, and not the horribly directed ones), and not from real-life hazards lurking in the workplace. From fog machines to flammable decorations, unnoticed dangers can creep in. In this guide, we'll help you safely enjoy the Halloween celebrations with simple tips to protect your team and your compliance.
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Even the smallest change in environment, such as a cape sleeve near a candle or a fog machine in a tight corridor, can create very real risks. Here are the most common Halloween scares that sneak into UK workplaces when celebrations begin.
Seasonal décor, like fake cobwebs, can be highly flammable, especially when hung near warm equipment or electrics. Add candles, lanterns, or plug-in lighting and the risk only grows. Fires can spread shockingly fast in cluttered or temporary displays that weren't evaluated for risk.
⚠️ Why this often gets overlooked: Decorations are seen as harmless fun, not as items that must meet fire-safety standards in a workplace.
Masks can tunnel vision. Capes or floor-length outfits can snag and cause you (or others) to trip. Some costumes can even prevent people from wearing required PPE.
⚠️ Why this often gets overlooked: Costumes are chosen for fun first, with safety rarely factoring into dress-up decisions.
Fog machines, theatrical smoke, fake blood, UV paints, and certain glues all introduce chemical hazards. Even if used “just for one night,” UK employers must still assess and control exposure under COSHH. Without ventilation or proper handling, these substances can trigger asthma and other reactions.
⚠️ Why this often gets overlooked: Temporary products feel “too small” to document. This is a "minor” mistake that can leads to significant compliance gaps.
Darkened rooms are great for atmosphere, but are terrible for hazard perception. Visual impairments from masks or flashing lights can make risks even harder to detect.
⚠️ Why this often gets overlooked: Creating a “spooky” atmosphere often overshadows being safe overall.
When celebrations disrupt routine, accountability can slip. Staff assume someone else handled checks. A delayed response amplifies harm, even during minor incidents.
⚠️ Why this often gets overlooked: People focus on organising the event, not assigning who's in charge of keeping it safe.
Real hazards on HalloweenEvery year on Halloween, children and adults in the UK are injured when candles or fireworks ignite costumes or hair. Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service notes that plastic capes or bin-liners, which are often used as costumes, can engulf the wearer in flames in as little as nine seconds once ignited. 💡 Lesson: Verify costume flammability, avoid naked flames near decorations, and treat every prop like a risk. |
Halloween might only last a day, but the risks that come with changing your environment or switching up routines still matter under UK regulations. Whether you're adding a fog machine to reception or clearing furniture to make space for a spooky contest, every change affects your existing controls.
This is exactly where Sevron's Safety365 can help. This leading COSHH assessment and risk diagnostic tool ensures that even temporary hazards are documented properly, without slowing down the fun.
With Sevron's Accelerated Compliance Framework, you're supported at every stage:
Keep the fear in the costumes, not in your safety records. With Sevron, your team enjoys the event, and your business stays protected, even after the pumpkins are gone. If you're interested, schedule a call with us.
To prevent fire risks during Halloween, keep all decorations away from heat sources and electrical equipment. Ensure emergency exits and fire extinguishers remain fully accessible and visible. Designate a responsible person to check lighting and cables, for overheating throughout the event.
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using fog machines or aerosol sprays, and keep them out of confined or poorly ventilated rooms to reduce respiratory irritation. Confirm that any chemical product used during the event is included in your COSHH assessment, with safety data available to employees. If someone has asthma or breathing sensitivities, provide alternative areas away from fog effects to keep the celebration inclusive and safe.
Costume guidelines help prevent accidents on the spookiest day of the year. Avoid trailing fabrics or any sharp accessories. Ensure PPE remains usable and not obstructed by costumes for those who need it. For staff who work around flames, or chemicals, flame-retardant and properly fitted costumes are a must.
Any new substance introduced for Halloween must be logged in your COSHH inventory and reviewed for potential hazards. Even short-term items may require additional PPE or ventilation controls. Safety Data Sheets should be accessible to staff, and supervisors must brief teams on any new risks before the celebrations begin.
Clear escape routes are non-negotiable. No decoration should block emergency signage or exit doors. Check that cables from lights or fog machines are secured to avoid trips, and avoid placing decorations in stairways and near high-traffic areas. Assign someone to monitor pathways throughout the event to maintain a hazard-free and regulation-compliant environment.
