The local fire service has welcomed a nationwide investigation, addressing concerns around the potential flammability of children’s costumes.

Trading Standards inspectors have recently been visiting retailers all over the UK, carrying out spot checks on hundreds of fancy dress costumes. In order to check that the outfits are compliant with safety standards and safe for sale, the costumes have been subjected to important flammability testing. These findings will then be reported back to the Business Secretary at the end of the autumn.

This investigation is an initiative that is fully supported by the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.

This news comes just a year after Claudia Winkleman’s eight-year-old daughter was left badly burned after her Halloween fancy dress outfit was set alight by a candle.

The television presenter has also welcomed this crackdown on safety laws around the costumes. These costumes are currently classed as toys, which means they do no have to reach the same flammability standards as clothing.

European safety standards will also be examined and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is currently working with the British Standards Institute to determine whether their safety standards are tough enough. The findings from this nationwide investigation by Trading Standards will form an important evidence base for this work.

Mark Yates, the Chief Fire Officer of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “As a Fire Officer and father of a 4 year old daughter, I strongly believe that fancy dress costumes should meet the same safety standards as children’s nightclothes and not be classified as toys. Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service fully support this nationwide review which we hope will lead to tougher standards which will ultimately protect our children.”

The Area Commander Mark Preece, who is Head of Community Risk, added: “We’d advise parents to take extra care, stay vigilant and ensure that youngsters do not go anywhere near naked flames.”