With Halloween just around the corner, multiple haunted houses and mazes will soon open across the city of Casper.

The City of Casper Fire-EMS Department is reminding the city’s haunted attraction operators about the importance of safety this holiday. Mark Harshman, a division chief with the Casper Fire Department, says a proper operations permit is required for all haunted public attractions operating within city limits.

They’re required to obtain a permit from the Casper Fire and EMS Department, and, as part of the permit process, an inspection of the attraction is required," Harshman said.

Harshman says city officials are trying to keep perceived danger from becoming actual danger. In the permitting process, Harshman says fire officials will see if multiple safety requirements are met.

We'll be looking for clear exiting and a trained staff on hand that can guide visitors out of the attraction if there were an emergency," Harshman said. "And then we also look at the electrical, to make sure that we're not walking on extension cords."

Harshman says all materials used to build the haunted attraction - from faux spider webs, to black curtains and tarps, to the plywood used to construct structures - must  have an allowable fire rating and fire retardant properties.

Haunted attraction permits and inspections are free.

Safety tips and a haunted attraction application form can be found at the Casper Fire-EMS Department's website.

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