Nottingham City Council Trading Standards Service is sharing important safety tips to help ensure everyone has a fun and safe Halloween this year.
Fancy dress costumes, including those for Halloween, have been linked to several serious incidents involving naked flames.
When buying children’s costumes, look for the CE or UKCA mark and make sure the manufacturer’s or importer’s name and address are on the label. Other key advice from Trading Standards include
Always buy from a trusted retailer, read warnings and instructions carefully, and make sure children are closely supervised by a responsible adult.
Remember that adult costumes aren’t classified as toys, so they don’t have to meet the same safety requirements, and homemade costumes may ignite more easily and pose additional risks. Wigs and masks should also be safe to wear, and keep in mind that some masks can restrict vision, making them less suitable if hazards are present.
Even costumes that comply with Toys (Safety) Regulations can still catch fire, as the regulations only limit the spread of flames—they don’t eliminate fire risk entirely. Some businesses have gone above and beyond, voluntarily testing their products against the British Retail Consortium’s Code of Practice for flammability. Costumes that pass these tests will carry labels stating: “This garment has undergone additional safety testing for flammability,” and they can be found at certain UK retailers.
As with any clothing, Halloween costumes should always be kept away from naked flames, candles, and other fire sources. An easy way to reduce fire hazards is by swapping out regular candles for battery-operated tealights, which can be used both in the home and inside pumpkins or lanterns. However, it is important to ensure that the batteries in these candles are not accessible to children. Look for battery compartments that require a two-step action to open or need a tool, such as a screwdriver or coin, to access the batteries. Additionally, with Bonfire Night approaching, it is best to avoid wearing fancy dress near bonfires and fireworks.
Cllr Corall Jenkins, Executive Member for Communities, Waste and Equalities, said:
“Halloween is an exciting time for many children, and it can be a fun night if we choose our costumes and lighting carefully. Our key message is to replace traditional candles with battery-operated tealights.
If a costume catches fire, flames can spread very quickly, and the consequences are unimaginable—let’s not take that risk. Any children’s costumes that lack a CE or UKCA mark should be reported to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline at 0808 223 1133.”