Fire Dept. Provides Halloween Safety Refresher - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW) – La Crosse held its first annual neighborhood family fall social Monday.

The event was sponsored by the La Crosse Neighborhood Revitalization Commission, the Lower Northside/Depot Neighborhood Association, City of La Crosse Parks and Recreation and Couleecap.

There were games and activities for kids, but the event also provided firefighters with the chance to teach the basics of Halloween safety.

That starts with a fire safe costume.

"You want your costume to be not too bulky or dragging on the ground so it could catch fire on a candle people have in their pumpkins," said Captain Dave Schneider, of the La Crosse Fire Department.

"Also check to make sure they're made of flame retardant material. Polyester and nylon are good," he said.  

"I think a reminder of the precautions every year is very important," said Sarah Hillesland, of Couleecap. "If we can bring that information for free to the public in a safe, fun, entertaining environment we can bring information to those who might not remember, or might have new little ones and not be aware of the problems that can happen."