Teresa is calling on the Government to press the EU and manufacturers of fancy dress outfits to change the classification of children’s fancy dress clothing to ensure that it is properly fire-proofed.
Although, at present, children’s fancy dress clothing has to pass a flammability test, this test is designed for toys and not clothes. Given that toys burn at a much slower rate than clothing, the safety of children is being greatly compromised. Last year the daughter of TV personality Claudia Winkleman was seriously injured when her supermarket-bought Halloween costume came into contact with a candle.
Teresa’s Early Day Motion (EDM), titled Classification of Children’s Fancy Dress Clothes, calls on the Government to urgently review classification criteria to promote safety for children and adults alike.
Teresa said:
“I decided to table this EDM after seeing the Watchdog programme with Claudia Winkleman telling how her daughter was engulfed in flames.
I have four grandchildren aged five, four, two and two. The three eldest are girls who seem to spend most weekends dressed as Elsa from Frozen or Cinderella as they go to birthday parties.
It made me realise that fancy dress and birthday candles are high-risk and I wanted to do something about it. I understand that these costumes are for play, but a play item that is worn should have the same fire standard as clothing.”
