Parents are warned to be aware of natural fibre witches brooms that are made with real sticks. Warning on the brooms state they are for adults only, but officers believe that parents may buy them for their children and are warning that the sticks can come dislodged from the broom and pose a choking hazard.
Parent should also be aware that many of the costume accessories supplied for children, such as axes swords and tridents are only designed to be used under strict parental supervision and should not be used for 'play fighting'. In addition, all toys should carry a CE European safety mark, and hair or fur on costumes and masks should be fire retardant.
Each year children and adults are injured in accidents where lighted candles or fire works have ignited flammable fur and hair. Plastic capes are also a fire risk, as are bin liners which parents often wrap their children in.
Trading Standards Officers have examined a number of products in the run up to this years Halloween including Dracula 'blood', stick on tattoos, masks and capes, costume accessories and makeup to ensure that they are safe to use.
For a safe Halloween, parents are strongly advised to:
- allow children access to toy axes, swords and other costume accessories, only under strict supervision, and do not give children products that are marked for adult use only.
- look for the CE European Safety Mark when purchasing toys and associated items and avoid purchasing items which do not carry the mark.
- use only fire retardant costumes and masks
- if using fireworks, follow the Firework Code
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