Parents are being urged to check the label before the face paint and fake blood come out. Credit: Luis Louro / Shutterstock
Parents painting their children’s faces for Saturday’s Halloween parties may be reaching for fake blood without realising much of it isn’t meant for anyone under 14. Spain’s consumer watchdog OCU has reissued its yearly advice, with some less obvious traps in costumes, nail polish and novelty contact lenses.
Why fake blood isn’t meant for under-14s
It may be the quickest way to turn a child into a zombie without a deadly man-eating virus, but fake blood isn’t designed for them. Spain’s consumer watchdog OCU said the products aren’t intended for anyone under 14, with some labelled for adults only, and that they can contain ingredients that are toxic if swallowed by accident.
However, OCU says that swallowing isn’t the only worry, as the same ingredients can also cause allergic reactions or skin irritation. The watchdog said the labels it checked listed preservatives such as parabens (chemicals that stop a product going off) alongside BHT, an antioxidant it says is questioned as a hormone disruptor.
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So fake blood should stay away from a child’s eyes, lips, mouth, nose and ears. Any left over from last year’s party should go in the bin too, as OCU said some products last only about a month once opened.
Test the face paint days before the party
Children under three shouldn’t wear any makeup at all, according to OCU. For older children, the watchdog said to look for the CE mark (the European conformity label) showing it’s approved as a toy, the open-jar symbol (a little pot icon with the number of months it stays safe after opening) and a full list of ingredients. Products free of perfumes, parabens, BHA and BHT are the best bet.
Parents should also dab a small amount on the child’s skin a few days beforehand. If itching, irritation or redness appears, wash it off straight away with plenty of water.
Nail polish and hair-colour sprays are best skipped as well, as polish contains solvents that are dangerous if a child puts their hands in their mouth, with sprays easily inhaled or swallowed while they’re being applied.
Costumes from online sellers are another weak spot
Costumes carry the CE mark if they meet flammability requirements, however OCU said they should still be kept well away from candles, sparklers, fireplaces, stoves and lighters.
For under-threes, the watchdog advises avoiding cords, long ribbons and pointed accessories, and checking that decorations and foam can’t come loose and become a choking risk. A new costume should come out of its plastic bag and into the wash, or be aired for at least 48 hours if it can’t be washed.
Where it was bought matters too. OCU said specialist shops are a better choice than unknown sellers on online marketplaces, where controls are more limited, and the label should name the manufacturer or importer. Fancy-dress contact lenses are another separate matter, with OCU saying they should only be bought from an optician, where a professional can explain how to use them safely.
So with Halloween falling on Saturday this year, the main checks are to look for the CE mark, the open-jar symbol and a manufacturer’s names on the packaging before anything goes near a child’s face.