Trick or Treat? Be Safe This Halloween
Halloween toys and costumes are already in the shops and Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service wants to help ensure that children have a safe Halloween.
Trading Standards Officers wish to remind parents that many of the costume accessories supplied for children such as axes, swords or tridents are only designed to be used under strict parental supervision and should not be used for ‘play fighting’. Parents should also check toys for sharp plastic burrs and other dangers before giving them to their children.
Some products on sale at Halloween are described as being for ‘adult use only’, and should not be mistaken for toys. Don’t let children play with these often ‘decorative’ items such as natural fibre brooms; made with real sticks these can become dislodged and pose a choking hazard.
All toys given to children should carry a CE mark, and hair or fur on costumes and masks should be fire retardant. Don’t be tempted to dress children in household products such as black plastic bin bags.
Mark Ryder, Head of Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards
Service said:
“Warwickshire Trading Standards Service is responsible for helping to ensure that toys and other products are safe to use. We visit retailers to check the safety of consumer products and appropriately investigate consumer
complaints.
Parents wishing to report a dangerous toy or other product can do so by telephoning Warwickshire Trading Standards on 08454 04 05 06 or by visiting our website at: http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards .”
Trading Standards Officers are hoping parents will follow this important safety advice:
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 mark when purchasing toys and associated items and do not buy or use items which do not carry the mark
use only fire retardant costumes and masks – don’t dress your children in plastic bin bags
if using fireworks, always follow the Firework Code
Information on Halloween products recalled from sale is available on our website visit: http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards