Firefighter Matt Heaslop tests out costumes to see how quickly they will catch fire
CHILDREN’S Halloween costumes that can catch fire in just THREE SECONDS are still on sale across the UK thanks to dodgy EU red tape, a Sun investigation has revealed.
Despite repeated calls for laws to be changed, retailers are flogging the fancy dress outfits which can burn to a crisp in minutes.
Under EU rules, kids’ Halloween costumes are classed as toys, which are not subject to the strict flammability standards regular nightwear is.
Most materials used to make toys burn when exposed to fire, so tests are based on how easily a child could drop a toy if it caught fire. They do not cover “toys” that are being worn.
Strictly Come Dancing co-host Claudia Winkleman’s daughter Matilda, now ten, was seriously injured when her novelty outfit went up in flames after she brushed against a pumpkin lamp on October 31, 2014.
The Government has twice backed improved safety but proposals were dropped in February amid EU red tape.
Tory MP Anne Main, who last year raised the issue in Parliament, said the UK was unable to keep children safe without the permission of Brussels, describing the current law as “absurd”.
She added: “Once we have got ourselves out of the EU, the Government will have the freedom to better protect our children.”
Countries outside the EU have more stringent safety standards for the outfits.
Our investigation found that costumes from major high street retailers were quick to catch fire, with flames spreading fast.
The costumes were tested by Matt Heslop, 22, of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, using a lighter to show how easily they could be ignited by a candle or pumpkin lantern.
Here are the shocking results.
Glitter witch costume, aged 3-4, £7, 100 per cent polyester, excluding trim, CE mark and fire warning
The costume was alight in four seconds, the flames took hold in 45 seconds and it was ablaze in one minute 42 seconds.
The entire costume had gone up in smoke in two minutes nine seconds.
A spokesperson for Asda said: “All of our Halloween costumes meet all the required legal standards.
Our pink Glitter Witch dress passed the legal requirement for flammability and also passed our additional, independent flammability testing.”
Boys’ vampire costume, age 5-6, £14, 100 per cent polyester, not including trim, CE (European Conformity) mark and fire warning on label
Caught light in ten seconds, flames took hold in 22 seconds, ablaze in one minute 46 seconds and completely burned in two minutes 45 seconds.
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “Safety is our top priority. We have looked at every detail of each product in our dress-up range and introduced our own, more stringent flammability safety standard exceeding all legal requirements. We are doing all we can to encourage customers to celebrate safely.”
Boys’ werewolf costume, age 4-5, £12, main section 100 per cent polyester, not including trim, fur 78 per cent polyester, 22 per cent acrylic, CE mark and fire warning
Caught light in 15 seconds, flames took hold after 26 seconds, trousers burned entirely in two minutes one second. The top half was ablaze after 59 seconds and had burned out in two minutes 30 seconds.
Matalan’s head of product safety testing, David Goodwin, said: “Safety is of paramount importance to everyone at Matalan.
"That’s why we run campaigns at Halloween to educate and encourage parents and children about how to play safely.”
Ghost dress, Tesco F&F, age 5-6, £10, 100 per cent polyester, CE mark and fire warning
Alight in four seconds, the flames took hold in 27 seconds and it was ablaze in one minute 28 seconds.
It took two minutes 26 seconds to completely burn to a crisp.
A Tesco spokesperson said: “Our F&F dressing-up costumes meet all recognised industry safety standards and are made from materials that have performed best in flammability tests.
“We’ve also reviewed the styling of all our costumes to make sure they don’t include any long floating and potentially hazardous fabrics that trail on the floor.”
Creepy cat dress, age 4-6, £9.99, 100 per cent polyester, CE mark and fire warning
It took just three seconds to catch light. The flames began to take hold after 16 seconds and it was completely ablaze after one minute one second.
The dress had burned completely after one minute 35 seconds – only the charred straps remained on the hanger.
H&M was contacted for comment.
QUICK and calm action could help to save a child’s life if their costume catches fire like the one Claudia Winkleman’s daughter was wearing at a party in 2014.
The mantra to remember is STOP, DROP and ROLL . . .
You must STOP the child from moving, as running fans the flames.
Heat rises so DROP the child to the floor to prevent flames from reaching their face.
Next, using a rug or blanket, ROLL the child along the floor to smother the flames.
Once the flames are out you should cool the child’s body with water but do not use cold water. Ice and cold water can make burns worse.
Never peel off melted clothing, because skin could come off with it.
Finally, cover the burn with a clean, dry cloth.
While you wait for help, keep the youngster warm.
