Children’s costumes are classified as toys and therefore can have lower safety standards than regular children’s clothing. Here are some top tips for staying nice and safe this Halloween.

1 Always check the material used in your child’s costume, and, where possible, get costumes with flame-resistant written on the label. Polyester and nylon are flame-resistant. However, light materials and multiple layers can be very flammable due to the amount of oxygen that can circulate quickly.

2 Always be aware of open flames around pumpkins, lanterns, bonfires and fireworks.

3 Dress your child in a layer of clothes underneath their costume, as things like woollen tights or jeans can give an added layer of protection to the skin should a costume catch fire.

4 Teach kids the stop, drop and roll method of putting out a fire if a costume catches a flame. This is a vital technique all children should be aware of, not just for Halloween.