Treats, no tricks: Fire chiefs offer up Halloween safety tips

Halloween is nearly here, and while it likely will look a little different this year, no thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, plenty of us will still be lighting up jack-o-lanterns and getting in costume.

The N.C. Association of Fire Chiefs offered up this video aimed at keeping all of us safe during the Halloween season, featuring Kevin Roberson, fire captain and risk reduction manager for the Northern Wake Fire Department.

"There can certainly be more fire-related incidents around Halloween because of all the activities and decorations," he said.

During the video, Roberson shares that 70% of firefighters in North Carolina are currently volunteers, and the state is going through a shortage.

For teens interested in a career or volunteer stint as a firefighter, they can sign up for junior firefighter programs. Most fire departments have a junior firefighting program for teens ages 14 to 18. The program trains junior firefighters in firefighting skills and prepares them to become active firefighters after graduating high school. Teens learn skills and gain mentorship from active firefighters.

Local programs include:

For younger kids, some fire departments are offering up firefighters to take part in Zoom calls with classes to teach fire safety. Check in with a local department near you to see what's possible.