Parents Don't Know: Many Halloween Costumes Purchased Online Are Dangerous

A study of Halloween costumes sold online found reveals that 80% of them pose risks to children.

As Halloween approaches, parents who don't have time to go to the store can decide to order costumes online. Witch, vampire, pumpkin, there is something for everyone, allowing children to have fun during the hunt for candy on the evening of October 31. However, a report from the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), the British authority responsible for the safety of consumer products, issues a warning about these purchases.

They tested 128 costumes intended for children under seven, which are easily found on the Internet in Great Britain but also in France. 80% were deemed dangerous, failing safety tests. Several anomalies were “Fancy dress can be a fun part of Halloween, but our tests show that many costumes on sale, particularly those online, pose serious risks to young children,” said Graham Russell, OPSS chief executive, at BBC Radio Five Live. The alert was sounded in the United Kingdom, but young French people are not spared from the risk, given the increasingly frequent practice of online purchases, sometimes on reseller sites that are not very concerned about the origin of this type of item.

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28 of them did not meet flammability standards. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon, which are very common in suits, are particularly highly flammable. Natural fibers such as cotton or wool are safer. For this first risk, it is particularly recommended to have children wear clothes under their costume.  

59 costumes had cords that could strangle. Similar cases have recently been observed in France. A “vampire cape, three years and over” sold at Stokomani was recalled at the end of October due to “risk of strangulation”.

In addition, 98 of the products analyzed by the office did not have the appropriate labels. Parents are therefore reminded to watch for the CE mark, conformity European, or its British equivalent UKCA, UK Conformity Assessed, on costumes. They guarantee the conformity of the costume with safety regulations. In the absence of these mentions, it is not recommended to buy the product.

Some accessories also call for vigilance: it's about masks. Tom Golubovich, a design expert at Ninja Transfers, warned to The Sun about “respiratory problems and hygiene issues related to germs and nits.” Breathing difficulties caused by masks can also be exacerbated by “walking from home to the other, combined with the excitement of the night. The spread of germs is favored by sharing costumes and the warm, humid interior of the mask, which is the ideal environment for bacteria to proliferate. The expert recommends more makeup for children, choosing hypoallergenic products.