The Illinois Department of Labor and the Illinois State Fire Marshal will be performing inspections on haunted houses in Illinois before they are allowed to open for business.
The fire marshals' office will be inspecting the haunted houses for:
•Exits and pathways large enough for the maximum number of people at the attraction
•Limited number of dead-end paths
•Provision of panic hardware on exit doors
•Restriction of open flame devices and pyrotechnic effects
•That all furnishings and decorations are flame resistant
IDOL inspectors will be ensuring that all employees of the haunted house have had a proper criminal background check, and ensuring the house has a written drug policy as well as a random drug test, said IDOL officials.
“IDOL’s Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Inspectors work to ensure that an experience at a haunted house is safe and fun by ensuring necessary precautions are taken by haunted house operators before an operating permit is issued,” said IDOL Carnival Manager Brian Fox.