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Claudia’s success in her Halloween
STRICTLY Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman has won a battle in her bid to prevent children’s fancy dress costumes being fire hazards.
She began the fight after her daughter, Matilda, suffered severe burns when her Halloween witch’s costume brushed against a candle on a doorstep and caught fire within seconds, in 2014. Matilda, now 11, spend three weeks in hospital as Claudia took time off Strictly to be by her bedside.
Claudia said of the moment: “I heard her shout and she was on fire. It feels like she was on fire for hours. She went up.”
Now the TV star’s fight has led to a rule change that should make Halloween outfits much safer. Industry body the British Retail Consortium has announced voluntary guidelines, stating that fabric on toys – which kids’ costumes are classed as – cannot burn faster than 10mm per second. It is a significant improvement on the current legislation which allows a burn rate of 30mm per second. The Mirror has put the new rule to the test, with one of the six high street chain Halloween costumes failing.
Claudia, 45, said yesterday: “I’m pleased to hear about the new guidelines. But as they are only voluntary, they are only a first step...
“I sincerely hope the Government continues to push for these guidelines to be made a legal requirement.” The BRC said:
I’m pleased to hear about the new guidelines... I hope they become a legal requirement CLAUDIA REACTS TO THE STRICTER TESTS INTRODUCED BY RETAILERS