Advice on fire safety at halloween 2015

This year, instead of dealing with the traditional issues of bonfires and fireworks, Westmeath Fire and Rescue Service is concentrating on the issue surrounding fire safety of Halloween costumes.

Last year tragedy struck the home of Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia Winkleman when her eight-year-old daughter suffered horrific burns after the witch’s costume she wore brushed against a candle.

The TV presenter told the BBC at the time that the tights of the outfit had “melted into her skin” and they had struggled to put the fire out.

All costumes, not just children’s costumes, must pass EN 71-2, the existing toy flammability standard. Just because a fabric passes the flammability standard does not mean it’s flame resistant.

The requirement is based on how quickly the flame spreads (a minimum of 3.5 seconds) and does not take into account the size of the flame.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to tell if a fabric will be flammable just by looking at it, but to be on the safe side, follow these tips:

• Look for costumes made from 100% synthetic fibres like nylon or polyester.

• Avoid glitter. It tends to be more flammable.

• Examine costumes and face-masks for the correct CE marking. One way to spot fraudulent CE markings it to check the logo. Sometimes the wrong logo is used entirely, but if it looks correct, check the middle line of the ‘E’, as it should be shorter than the other parts.

• Avoid capes, trains, and dangling sleeves. These can drag and brush against a naked flame such as a candle and also pose the risk of a tripping hazard.

• Use caution when creating DIY costumes. Stick with polyester, nylon, wool, and acrylic fabrics and make sure the costumes are not loose-fitting. Don’t use materials made of natural fibres, for example, cotton wool balls. Don’t use refuse sacks/bin liners as capes or dresses.

• Opt for battery-operated candles instead of lit ones for pumpkins.
Never leave candles or lit pumpkins unattended in your home or near a walking path. Keep all candles out of the reach of children.

For further information on fire safety please contact the Mullingar HQ on 044 9332102 for advice and guidance, or visit westmeathcoco.ie.