CHECKLIST FOR PROTECTING YOUR CHILD THIS HALLOWEEN
Halloween can be considered a dangerous time for all age groups. However, children are the most vulnerable due to the large volume of numbers. To prevent any form of personal injuries occurring here are a few tips to keep children safe.
CHECK CLOTHING
- Ensure that any costumes that you buy for your child have safety standard labels – they should be marked as ‘flame resistant’ and also have a CE Mark- they should have passed the EN71-2 toy flammability standard.
UNDERSTAND LABELS
- Flame resistant means that they should resist burning and that they should extinguish once removed from the source of the fire.
- Flammable/Inflammable on the other hand mean exactly the same thing. They are easily capable of catching fire and will continue to burn!
- CE Standard – this means that the manufacturer has complied with national and international standards.
CHECK ACCESSORIES
- It is important to ensure that in addition to the clothing which your child wears, you should also ensure that any props you buy such as brooms or pitchforks also meet the required safety standards. In Ireland, all such props should display the CE mark so as to be deemed to comply with the Irish and European ‘Safety of Toys’ standard (I.E. EN71).
CHECK FACE PAINTS
- Ensure face paints have a clear CE mark too.
OPEN FIRES
- Ensure that you always put a spark guard in front on any open fires in your house.
LIGHTING CANDLES
- Avoid low lying lit candles. Whilst they might look well, they pose a real hazard to young children.
STOP, DROP, COVER FACE, ROLL
- If your child’s clothing catches fire it may result in serious scarring or even death.
- Remember to teach them and to practice the above drill – Therefore, it may save their life or prevent serious scarring or injuries.
RESPONSIBLE ADULT
- Ensure a responsible adult accompanies your children when trick or treating. When you may be able to protect your children in your own home, you cannot control other homes and the possibility of low lying lit pumpkins etc. at the front door.