Children's Halloween costumes and accessories have turned up in Safety Gate, the EU's early-warning system for dangerous non-food products, over choking hazards and toxic substances, the online platform "Nie, Potrebitelite" ("We, the Consumers") warns.
Costumes are the items most often pulled from shelves before October 31. The latest ones banned are a children's vampire costume and a witch costume.
The "Halloween Cape with Hood Child" costume comes with a hooded cape, a mask and temporary tattoos. Its long ties with loose ends around the neck can tangle and choke a child. The product breaks EU toy safety rules and the EN 71-1 and EN 14682 standards. It was sold on one of the biggest international sales platforms, and the listings have now been taken down. The barcode is 5902362845426.
The "Witch Halloween Set" was pulled because it contains hexavalent chromium at levels up to 0.19 mg/kg. The substance is toxic and can cause cancer and allergies. The model number is 9624001, the barcode 5397323126261.
A black LED Halloween mask, model No. H-871472, was found to have too much lead and cadmium in its solder joints. A plastic ghost-shaped lantern, model No. 53754101, has the same problem.
The platform also warns about a plastic toy watch sold through TikTok Shop. It runs on a button battery, and the battery compartment opens without any tools. A child could take the battery out and swallow it, which can cause serious damage to the digestive tract or choking.
Sets of "Halloween necklace" jewellery have also been pulled because cadmium makes up as much as 48% of their weight. The metal builds up in the body, can damage the kidneys and bones, and raises the risk of cancer.
When buying Halloween costumes and accessories, people should read the product and safety information, especially for items made for children, "Nie, Potrebitelite" advises.