Horrifying footage shows how quickly a child's Halloween costume can catch fire in just a matter of seconds. Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service have released the video as a warning about the dangers of flammable costumes ahead of Halloween.
The short clip shows a child's witch costume being set alight by a firefighter before the entire outfit is quickly turned into a fireball in just a couple of seconds. The service posted the footage on social media as a warning to mums and dads about the dangers kids face while wearing cheap Halloween costumes.
They wrote on Facebook: "With Halloween just around the corner, have you got your costume? This International Product Safety Week, we're reminding everyone to take care with flammable costumes around open flames."
Fancy dress costumes are classified as toys, so they are not subject to the same safety standards as standard clothes. In 2015, TV presenter Claudia Winkleman’s daughter Matilda was burned in a Halloween costume accident and she has since called for stricter rules.
She said: “I would like parents on Halloween to think about what they’re going to put their kids in because I didn’t, and it cost us.”
Other emergency services across the country are also warning people about the dangers of Halloween costumes. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Leon Parkes, of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Parents should check Halloween costumes meet the required safety standard and are always kept away from naked flames."
The public are urged to take care around open flames and double check the fire safety labels of their costumes.
