PARENTS and carers are being warned about the dangers of children’s fancy dress costumes getting too close to naked flames.

West Sussex Trading Standards and the county’s fire service spoke out after discovering a child’s “Devil” dress failed to meet fire safety requirements of the toy safety standard.

It was among several costumes tested around Halloween.

Children’s costumes have to meet a standard that states if it is set alight, the flames must not spread faster than 30mm per second.

This is to ensure there is time to remove the dress or extinguish the flames before the child can be seriously injured.

Trading Standards team manager Peter Aston said: “In this case, the importer had the dresses tested before they went on the market and they passed, so we are working closely with them to see what may have happened to cause this dress to fail our safety tests.”

TV presenter Claudia Winkleman’s eight-year-old daughter Matilda was injured when her costume caught fire while she was out trick or treating.

West Sussex trading standards officers will test more costumes in the run up to Christmas to make sure they are safe.

Mr Aston said: “Our key message for the festive season is to keep all children’s costumes and clothing away from fire.

“But as parents we all know accidents can happen and in that case the risks can be minimised by buying from reputable sources.

“If you’re tempted by an unrealistically cheap branded costume for example, it could well be a counterfeit and there is every likelihood it would burn quickly if it came into contact with a flame”.

Jackie Boyle, community fire safety officer for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, said: “People love dressing up at Christmas, especially children, but swingy dresses or flowing costumes can easily brush by a naked flame and potentially catch fire.

“We want people to enjoy their festive celebrations safely so just take care to keep lit candles well away from children and pets and ensure you extinguish them if you are leaving the room or going out.”

If you think you might have bought an unsafe children’s costume, call 03454 040506 or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/tsreport.