Warning to parents over Halloween costumes - Three safety issues to watch out for this October

Masks, makeup and wide range of wacky costumes have been purchased by parents across Ireland, as children prepare for the annual Halloween festivity of trick or treating.

As the spooky season approaches, The CCPC (Competition and Consumer Protection Commission) is keen to make people aware of potential dangers.

The majority of costumes are made with children in mind, ensuring that they are safe and sound for their age group particularly younger kids. But it's important to ensure this especially with online orders from countries outside the EU's jurisdiction.

The CCPC has issued an urgent warning for this year's upcoming Halloween celebrations. They are warning parents and guardians to prioritise safety by checking for these three things before children dress up:

CE MARK:

parents are warned to always look for the CE mark on children’s costumes. This symbol means that the product meets EU safety standards. It should be clearly visible on the packaging or the costume itself. 

SMALL PARTS/CHOKING HAZARDS:

Check items for loose, small parts, particularly batteries. Items smaller than a €2 coin could be choking hazards, and button batteries (small, flat, circular batteries, sometimes found in accessories, lights and inflatables) are especially dangerous.

Check your children’s accessories to see if the battery pack is easily opened and if so, stop using the product immediately. Always keep batteries out of reach of children.

STRINGS AND CORDS

Costumes with strings or cords on the head, neck or chest area carry a risk of strangulation and should not be used unless they are fastened with, for example, velcro or a snap fastener and can easily break away.

Always check capes, hats or bowties that often come with children’s costumes and never use items with fixed cords or strings in the head, neck or chest area.

Gráinne Griffin, CCPC Director of Communications described dressing up as "the best part about Halloween for many families", adding that a few simple checks can help keep it fun and safe.

"Before your child dresses up this year, do the 3-Step Costume Check: look for the CE mark, check for small parts that could come off and end up in a child’s mouth, and make sure there are no cords or strings that could cause strangulation, Griffin said.

“Keep kids and their costumes away from candles, bonfires and open flames of any kind".

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