As Halloween approaches and children finalise their costumes to go trick or treating, parents are being urged to check that their little ghouls and goblins are wearing safe clothing.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has warned parents about unsafe Halloween costumes for children that can be highly flammable and could lead to serious injury if they catch fire.
CCPC Director of Communications Grainne Griffin said officers have been engaging with retailers across the country to reiterate that costumes should all have a CE mark, which shows they are safe to wear.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, she said apart from the CE mark there are other things that parents can look for, such as with younger children where buttons should not be smaller than a €2 coin to avoid a choking risk.
She said to also ensure that the neck on costumes is not too tight, or that any capes or cloaks are attached with Velcro so they come off and cannot get caught in anything.
Ms Griffin said even if parents are making the costume, they should be conscious of the potential flammability of the material used.
"If your child comes in contact with a flame or a spark at a bonfire or anything like that, you really want to make sure that that costume isn't going to catch fire."
She said that things like glue and paint, if they are used in costumes, can make it flammable "and even things that seem quite harmless, like cotton wool, cotton wool is flammable, so if that's stuck all over a costume, it will mean that it can go up if it comes in contact with a flame," she warned.
Ms Griffin advised people who want to make their own costumes at home, to use old sheets and clothes, but said bin bags should not be used as they are also flammable.
She said that if there is no CE mark on a shop-bought costume it should not be used and should instead be returned to the shop where it was bought, ask for a refund and contact the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to make it aware.
Meanwhile, the Assistant Chief Fire Officer with Dublin Fire Brigade has said crews are expecting a busy weekend, and urged people to stay away from illegal bonfires.
Speaking on the same programme, Greg O'Dwyer said the number of illegal bonfires has been declining due to the work by local authorities and community groups, but they are still an issue and can be extremely dangerous if people throw fireworks or aerosol onto them.
He said fireworks are illegal and dangerous, but there are well organised events planned over the weekend where people can have a fun and safe time.
