Shaw Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Gloster is proposing a motion to the next meeting of full Council (Wednesday 8 November) calling on our local Members of Parliament to urge the government to introduce legislation making Halloween and party costumes fire-proof.
Councillor Gloster said: “Tragically three years ago the daughter of TV presenter Claudia Winkleman was badly injured when a spark lit a costume that she was wearing and her outfit went up in flames. Party costumes are classed as toys rather than clothes, and standards for fire retardancy are lower than those for clothes.”
“Manufacturers and retailers are not required to make and sell only fire-proof ones. This is madness. These costumes are worn by young people for fun and, the consequences of them catching fire are horrific. We need to ensure that the law is changed to make it illegal to sell outfits that burn so easily.”
Councillor Gloster is backed in his motion by his party colleague, Crompton Councillor Julia Turner: “There are some safety standards and I would ask parents to look to buy outfits that meet the British nightwear flammability standard (BS5722 TEST 3).”
“We echo the call of the Association of Chief Fire Officers to make party costumes for children fireproof. It is just such a common sense idea that I am shocked that the government just does not get on with changing the law and so to help our children to continue to have fun whilst being safe.”
The motion reads – Halloween and Party Costumes
Council notes with grave concern that children’s Halloween and other seasonal / themed party costumes are classed in law as ‘toys’ and are not subject to the rigorous standards of fire retardancy required of other children’s clothing.
Tragically this leads to unnecessary deaths or injuries to children when these flammable items are exposed to heat.
Council notes that the British Retail Consortium has just introduced voluntary guidelines for manufacturers, to reduce the speed at which these costumes will burn, but these remain voluntary guidelines and regrettably they do not require manufacturers to make such costumes fire-proof.
Council welcomes the work done by officers of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to raise public awareness of the risks and supports the aspiration of the Association of Chief Fire Officers that such costumes should be reclassified as ‘clothing’.
Council resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to the relevant Government Minister and to the three MPs representing this Borough asking them to support the urgent introduction of the necessary legislation or regulations to bring this about to prevent any further needless deaths and injuries of this nature.
Proposed by Councillor Chris Gloster, Seconded by Councillor Julia Turner