Haunted Houses Must Follow Illinois Safety Rules

Illinois fire safety experts are urging families to be vigilant when they go to temporary haunted houses this Halloween season.

The Office of the Illinois state Fire Marshal says it’s important for haunted house operators to follow the state’s fire safety code requirements. The fire marshal advises that haunted houses should have adequate room for visitors to exit. There also must be panic hardware on exit doors.

Haunted houses are considered “special amusement buildings” and must obey state rules for fire sprinklers and detection equipment.

Materials in haunted houses must be flame resistant and shouldn’t use pyrotechnics unless the operator has specific licenses.