Adults warned of fire hazards with children’s Halloween costumes

Quality solutions provider Intertek, who test products, and safety charity the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), revealed that while almost 50% of adults were well aware of the risks around Bonfire night, only one in three adults would consider precautions to keep children away from lit pumpkins and burning candles.

Almost 45% of adults who will be celebrating tomorrow have not even checked the safety CE marks on children’s costumes.

Public Health Adviser at RoSPA Sheila Merrill said: “We want people to have fun at Halloween.

“By taking just a few minutes to think about safety, particularly the risk of naked flames to children in costumes, we can prevent unwanted and upsetting trips to A&E.”

This is particularly a great concern, as three fifths of Britons will be dressing up for “fright night” this year, with 29% of adults in the South East wearing traditional Halloween costumes, saying they will be in such as ghosts, witches and skeletons. Intertek and RoSPA have issued some top tips for residents to stay safe this Halloween, for example, never leaving candles unattended, using battery operated candles around children and check for the CE mark on costumes.

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