HAVE fun this Hallowe’en – but don’t let it become scary for the wrong reasons.

That’s the message from fire chiefs as the festival approaches. Every year on October 31, children and adults are injured in accidents where candles or fireworks have set fire to costumes and hair. Plastic capes and bin liners, often used as costumes, also pose fire risks.

Currently, children’s fancy dress costumes are classified as toys, rather than clothes, and are not covered by the same safety regulations – therefore, there’s no requirement for them to be fire proofed or fire retardant.

The Chief Fire Officers’ Association has called for this to be changed, so costumes are subject to the same safety standards as children’s nightclothes.

Group Manager Karen Adams said: “We don’t want to stop people enjoying Hallowe’en, but we do want them to celebrate safely. There is nothing more terrifying than having a fire at home or seeing your clothes catch fire. Please also follow the advice from our police and council colleagues and don’t annoy residents by being anti-social.”

Top tips to reduce fire risks:

* If you’re making homemade lanterns, think carefully about the fire risks – particularly the possibility of the candle falling over. It is far safer to use flickering LED candles than real candles in pumpkins and as part of displays

* Lanterns should never be made from plastic bottles

or other plastic containers

* Make sure that fancy dress costumes and masks are labelled as flame-resistant

* Don’t use flammable materials to make home-made costumes. Be especially careful about using bin liners as capes

* Keep children away from naked flames and don’t let them carry lit candles

* If using candles, make sure they are securely placed in a correct holder and where they are not likely to be knocked over

* Make sure candles are extinguished when you go to bed

* If using decorative lights at home, ensure electricity sockets are not overloaded and that they’re switched off at the socket at night