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Burns nurses highlight risks of Halloween fancy dress

Specialist burns nurses raise awareness of fancy dress dangers

Specialist burns nurses put on fancy dress to highlight risks associated with Halloween, bonfire night and the Hindu festival Diwali.

An estimated 110 burn injuries are treated each day in UK emergency departments, with higher instance in October and November.

Leicester General Hospital’s burns and plastic surgery nursing team highlighted the dangers of candles near fancy dress costumes, as illustrated last year in an accident involving the daughter of BBC presenter Claudia Winkleman.

Claire Porter, specialist nurse for burns and plastic surgery, said: ‘Most burns are preventable but accidents happen. The most at-risk group are under fives with candles and hot drinks.’

The team offered first aid advice, explaining you must cool a burn for 20 minutes with running water, call for help and then cover the burn with cling film. If a person's clothes catch fire, they should be told to ‘stop, drop and roll'.

Ms Porter said: ‘There are a lot of misconceptions about how to treat burns. It is best not to use ice as it can cause a frostbite effect.’