Parents urged to take care with costumes

Enjoy a safe and happy halloween

This Halloween parents are being urged to ensure their families don’t suffer the wrong kind of fright.

Dressing up to go trick or treating is a big part of the Halloween festivities however Halloween costumes can pose serious risks.

Here are some tips on how you can ensure your costumes are safe this Halloween.

• Make sure costumes comply with safety standards.
  It’s important to check that any costume meets toy safety standards as these will be flame retardant. A CE mark means a product has a good level of flammability prevention. Always look for trailing or loose parts of costumes.
   
• Buy from UK sellers.
  If you’re shopping online buy from a website based in the UK to ensure that the costume complies with domestic safety standards. Check online reviews for the seller too to check that they are reputable.
   
• Beware of counterfeits.
  Genuine costumes are rarely discounted and fake costumes sell for as little as £3.99 on auction sites. Look out for spelling mistakes, fake traders often make slight alternations to well-known brand names.
   
• Homemade costumes may not be flame retardant.
  If you’re making homemade fancy dress the material you use may not be flame retardant. Take care to check the materials you are using.
   
• Avoid naked flames.
  Regardless of how flame retardant your costumes are, keep children away from candles and naked flames.
   
• Product Recalls.
  Visit www.productrecall.campaign.gov.uk to check that a costume you are purchasing has not been subject to a safety recall.

The potential dangers of Halloween costumes hit the headlines in 2014 when television presenter Claudia Winkleman’s eight year old daughter suffered severe burns after brushing up against a candle whilst trick or treating.

Councillor Sara Rowbotham, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “It is important to recognise the potential dangers that dressing up in costumes can bring and we urge everyone to take the purchasing advice.

“Take care with your family’s costumes to ensure you have a fun and safe Halloween this year.”  

If you are concerned about a Halloween costume you can contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06 for further advice.