FIREFIGHTERS in South Gloucestershire are encouraging parents and carers to ensure their children have a safe Halloween by taking care with fancy dress.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service have reminded parents that costumes bought in shops must comply with safety regulations, which means if they catch fire, the flames must not spread faster than 30mm per second.

This is to ensure there is time to remove the costume or extinguish the flames before a child is seriously injured.

Among the safety advice issued by the fire and rescue service, parents are being reminded to keep all costumes away from naked flames, and to use LED candles in pumpkins and other decorations.

They are also suggested to buy costumes from reputable sources, and check the label or packaging contains the manufacturer’s details and a registered trademark – as cheaper products are more likely to be counterfeit and could burn quickly if they catch fire.

Matt Peskett, Avon Fire and Rescue group manager for risk reduction, said: “We don’t want to spoil people’s fun at this time of the year but we would ask families to make sure they keep children well away from naked flames.

“Instead of using candles to decorate a pumpkin you could opt for the battery powered LED tea lights with appropriate safety markings. These are much safer and reduce the risk of burns and other injuries which can last a lifetime.” 

Trading standards also recommends that families only buy costumes from reputable retailers and ensure that they carry the CE safety mark and instructions.

Mr Peskett added: “Burns and scalds can last a lifetime so if your child’s clothing does catch fire, remember to get them to stop, drop to the floor and roll around. This will extinguish the fire by depriving it of oxygen.”

Anyone who thinks they might have bought an unsafe children’s costume or sees any cheap branded or suspected counterfeit costumes for sale, can call Trading Standards on 03454 04 05 06