Avoid Halloween horror - fire safety warning for parents

Date published: 19 October 2017


Parents are being urged to protect children from the dangers caused by naked flames and fancy dress costumes this Halloween.

If the correct safety procedures are not followed, children wearing fancy dress costumes could be engulfed in flames and face serious injury - in as little as nine seconds.

To avoid children being seriously injured residents are being advised to swap naked flame candles for LED equivalents in pumpkin lanterns and to check that their children’s costumes meet safety regulations.

Children’s fancy dress costumes are currently classed as toys and are not subject to the same strict fire regulation testing as everyday clothing. However, they must still be labelled with a ‘CE’ mark, which means they meet toy safety regulations and should burn at a rate that will allow a child to get out of it before a serious injury occurs.

It is important that only costumes that display the CE mark are purchased and any that do not are reported.

The warning has been issued as part of the Safe4Autumn Treacle Campaign, a joint campaign between the council, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Trading Standards aimed at ensuring everyone has a safe and enjoyable Halloween and Bonfire Night.

The Treacle campaign has also issued the following advice to help people stay safe from fire hazards this autumn:

 

  • Do not wear fancy dress clothing on bonfire night while bonfires and fireworks are alight.
  • Use LED candles, which display the correct kite mark, as an alternative to candles.
  • Avoid burning candles when young children are present and keep costumes away from naked flames.
  • Never leave burning candles unattended or leave them burning while asleep. Candle snuffers or metal spoons should be used to safely extinguish burning candles.
  • Do not use burning candles in the home when anyone is under the influence of alcohol.
  • Never move a burning candle or tea light.
  • Always use insulated holders when burning candles.
  • Be aware that drafts from open windows can knock over candles or bend the flame to ignite decorations, curtain or carpets.