Children could be at risk of severe burns from Halloween costumes that go up in flames in less that 10 seconds, say Greater Manchester Fire.
In a warning released today, fire officers say the material some outfits are made of will melt when they catch fire, sticking to the skin and causing horrific injuries.
This week Trading Standards Officers in Wigan have already forced some retailers to remove costumes which are deemed “unsafe”.
Greater Manchester Fire tested a range of fancy-dress wear and found that some “were engulfed in flames” in just nine seconds.
Now it is warning parents to keep their children away from naked flames and suggest they use battery powered tea lights rather than real candles in their pumpkins.
The warning comes after the Chief Fire Officers Association wrote to the Government calling for stricter testing of the costumes, which are classed as toys and not subject to the same tests clothes are.
Assistant County Fire Officer and Director of Prevention and Protection, Geoff Harris, said: “We want everyone to enjoy Halloween, but we also need to warn parents about the dangers of these costumes – they look great, but some of them are incredibly flammable.
“If you must use candles consider putting them in a glass jar, so there’s no chance of the flame catching a costume.
“We would also recommend that you don’t take your children to bonfires or firework displays when they are wearing these costumes.
“If the worst should happen and clothes catches fire remember: stop, drop and roll.”
See the range of Halloween and Bonfire Night events across Salford here
