With Halloween and Bonfire Night fast approaching, the fire service is encouraging people to have a fun but safe time.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) has issued some top tips on reducing the risk of house fires caused by costumes.

As new companies from overseas make it easier than ever to access cheaper costumes, DWFRS is encouraging everyone to check that they have the correct CE labelling.

Standards also change, so it may well be worth checking that any ‘not-quite-retired’ costumes are still fit for purpose too.

Fancy-dress costumes are currently classified as toys, rather than clothes, and are not required to be flame resistant or flame retardant.

Therefore, people are being urged to consider opting for a costume without a cape or sections that hang off the garment that could be a fire risk.

Prevention delivery manager Vikki Thomas said: “We would like to encourage everyone to have a fun Halloween but to also stay safe.

"House fires and fires involving costumes can have a devastating outcome and we want to ensure everyone knows how to keep their family safe.”

The following top tips from DWFRS will help reduce your fire risk this Halloween: 

  • Check the labels – those attached to the product should show a CE Mark, which means it complies with EN71-2 and meets the European flammability resistant requirements for toys.
  • You may wish to also look for swing labels which indicate the costume has undergone BRC’s additional tests. It will say “This garment has undergone additional safety testing for flammability” which is reassurance the costume is safer than legally required under EN71-2.
  • Buy from a reputable retailer– cheap or imported costumes may not meet UK safety standards and, at worst, may carry fake safety labelling.
  • Layer up– wear clothes under dressing up costumes, to give a layer of protection between the costume and your skin. This can help protect the skin in the event of a fire incident.
  • Don’t let your child go near any ignition sources – sparklers can burn at up to 2,000 degrees Celsius.
  • Replace candles in pumpkins with battery powered candles – these are cheap, they don’t blow out and are much safer.
  • Teach your child to STOP, DROP and ROLL in the event that their clothing does catch fire.
  • In an emergency, cool any burns with large amounts of water and get urgent medical assistance.
  • If you must use candles, make sure they are securely placed in a correct holder and in a place where they are not likely to be knocked over. Keep them away from curtains, cushions and draughts.
  • Make sure candles are extinguished when you go to bed.
  • If you are using decorative lights in your home, ensure that electricity sockets are not overloaded and that they’re switched off at the socket at night.
  • Make sure you’re aware of the Fireworks Code – see dwfire.org.uk/fireworks for more information