Eight in ten children’s Halloween costumes sold online are dangerous — and could even kill — a shocking Government report reveals.
The outfits failed basic safety tests due to being made of flammable material or featuring hazards such as cords and drawstrings that could strangle.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) tested 128 costumes aimed at children under seven and has issued a stark warning to parents ahead of Halloween.
The watchdog purchased costumes from a range of online marketplaces and found many lacked appropriate labelling, with 98 failing to provide safety information.
Labelling, which includes clear instructions and safety information, is critical for ensuring that parents are aware of potential hazards, they warn.
Adrian Simpson of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents told BBC Radio Five Live on Friday that he was ‘shocked’ at how unsafe some of the products were.
‘There are many responsible retailers out there who are working hard to see safe products,’ he added.
‘So it comes to us as quite a surprise that there’s such as high level of unsafe Halloween costumes out there.
More than 80 per cent of costumes sold online failed basic safety tests, including those for flammability and strangulation from cords
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) tested 128 products aimed at children under seven years old
He explained that concerned parents should look for a UKCA or CE mark on the label of any costume.
These marks are the manufacturers declaration that the product complies with the current safety rules and regulations.
Each product should also have a fire safety warning and list the manufacturers details in case you need to get in touch with them.
The OPSS has taken action to remove all non-compliant costumes from sale across online platforms.
However, they are still urging the public to only buy costumes from trusted sources and take care when near fires, particularly open flames, on Halloween.
Parents are also advised to check for long head and neck drawstrings or cords and other strangulation hazards.
OPSS Chief Executive Graham Russell said: ‘Fancy dress can be an enjoyable part of Halloween, but our tests show many costumes for sale, particularly those online, pose serious risks to young children. Please take extra care before you buy.’
In 2021, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) in the UK tested the flammability of children’s Halloween-themed t-shirts, capes, and witches’ hats.
OPSS advises parents to check the label of Halloween costumes and look for a UKCA or CE certification mark to ensure it has been tested and safe for children to wear
A video posted by the department shows two child-sized mannequins wearing pumpkin and monster Halloween-themed t-shirts catching fire rapidly, leaving the mannequins blackened and burned.
In the video, Ian Smith, Trading Standards Supervisor, advised parents: ‘Remember to check wigs, masks and if you are going to make a costume, check the material you are using.
‘Get children to wear clothes under their costume for added protection should the worst happen.’
Synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon, which are commonly used in costume production, are highly flammable and can ignite quickly if exposed to an open flame or heat source.
However, safety experts say natural fibres such as cotton and wool are less likely to catch on fire, on comparison to synthetics.
The dangers of Halloween costumes hit the headlines in 2014 when Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia Winkleman’s daughter suffered second degree burns on her legs.
Winkleman’s daughter, Matilda, aged eight at the time, suffered the severe burns after her Halloween costume touched an open flame while trick-or-treating and it quickly set alight.