DROITWICH Fire Service and the Community Fire Safety Team are backing calls from Business Secretary Sajid Javid for a nationwide investigation into the safety of children’s fancy dress costumes.

As October Half Term approaches Droitwich parents are being warned to check the labelling on fancy dress costumes to make sure children stay safe at Halloween and Bonfire night parties.

Under current safety standards fancy dress costumes are treated as toys and must only pass the EN71 safety test but fire officers are calling for children’s fancy dress costumes to have the same safety standards as children’s nightclothes.

Flimsy Halloween costumes can be highly flammable and last year the 8-year-old daughter of Claudia Winkleman was seriously burnt when the cape of her witch’s costume caught fire in an accident when she was out on Halloween night.

Many families with children will be planning trick or treat outings or hosting Halloween and fireworks parties during the school break.  

But ‘spooky’ fun and games can quickly turn dangerous with lighted pumpkins, sparklers and fireworks a possible hazard unless the proper precautions are taken.

Droitwich Fire Services Watch Commander Andrew Birch is asking parents to take sensible precautions to make sure trick or treating does not end in tragedy.

“Take a look at the advice labels inside the costumes and make sure that costumes are kept away from any fire source.  

"Lots of Halloween costumes have material hanging down or floating around which can get caught easily.

"They need to be kept away from naked flames.”

Trading Standards inspectors will soon be visiting retailers all over the UK to carry out spot checks on hundreds of fancy dress costumes to check if the outfits comply with safety standards and are safe for sale.

The costumes will also be subjected to flammability testing and the findings will  be reported back to the Business Secretary later in the autumn.

European safety standards will also be examined and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is currently working with the British Standards Institute to determine whether their safety standards are tough enough.

Hereford and Worcestershire Chief Fire Officer Mark Yates said: “I strongly believe that fancy dress costumes should meet the same standards as children’s nightclothes and not be classified as toys.

"The Service fully supports this nationwide review which we hope will lead to tougher standards.”

Area Commander Mark Preece, who is Head of Community Risk, added: “With Halloween fast approaching, we’d advise parents to take extra care, stay vigilant and ensure that youngsters are not anywhere near naked flames.”