News

Each year in the UK 80 people die and over 650 others are injured as a direct result of their clothing catching fire. Most of those killed or seriously injured are children and the elderly. With Halloween and Guy Fawkes night just around the corner and winter fast approaching, Poole Consumer Protection Officers are warning residents not to be complacent when it comes to both their own, and their children’s, safety.

The reminder follows an earlier exercise into the safety of children’s nightwear which found nightwear that did not meet stringent safety regulations on sale in Poole. Officers submitted a number of samples of children’s nightdresses purchased in the Borough for analysis and on the whole most passed the tests designed to limit the spread of any accidental contact with a flame. However one children’s nightgown did fail and burnt through in only 70% of the minimum time allowed. Stocks of the item, made from 100% cotton, were removed from sale and the supply was traced back to a Belgian company.

Peter Pawlowksi, Head of Consumer Protection commented, ‘This time of year it is especially important to be aware of the dangers surrounding open fires, gas heaters and particularly decorative candles, which are becoming more and more popular in the home. Whilst they are very attractive to look at they can provide the ignition source that might seriously injure us or our children if we don’t take care around them. These safety regulations have been around for a long time now and it’s disappointing that we are still finding items on sale that don’t comply.’