Unsafe Carnival costumes warnings

SPAIN (Agencies) With Carnival fast approaching, the Spanish Consumers Union (OCU) has tested numerous costumes and accessories purchased at various outlets throughout the country. Nine out of ten of the items (10 full children's costumes, 5 for adults, 4 children's masks, 4 wigs for adults and 6 different make-up kits) showed safety problems and dangers. OCU confirms that the price of an item is no guarantee of safety and calles the presence of lead in children's costumes as 'intolerable', as is the use of a plastic additive called phthalates that gives plastic more flexibility but is highly toxic. Until the authorities carry out the appropriate controls, the organization advises consumers to take following precautions:>

• Remove plastic packaging from costumes and masks immediately

• Avoid hoods and masks that cover the head or face too much, to avoid any chance of setting fire to them
• Avoid getting make-up into the eyes
• If using a costume and/or accessories, avoid flames at all costs

FACUA, another, more aggressive consumer organization has also issued a similar warning.