Fire safety bosses are calling for people to take care around candles as the Halloween party season hits full swing.

Fancy dress costumes for children are under particular spotlight with no laws currently in place to force businesses to ensure their products are fire resistant.

Costumes are currently classed as toys, so do not have to undergo fire safety testing in the same way as children’s nightwear does.

The issue sparked national interest last year when Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia Winkleman’s eight-year-old daughter suffered severe burns at a Halloween party. She was in a witch’s costume when it brushed against a candle and caught fire.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s head of prevention and protection Steve Helps, said: “Unfortunately, accidents like the one which made national headlines last year are not uncommon and this is a shocking reminder that candles and open flames can be lethal if you don’t keep an eye them.

“This is especially true if you are wearing clothing, such as fancy costumes, which often have tassels, capes and other adornments that can trail and easily catch light if they accidentally brush against a flame. That’s why it’s crucial that candles are placed well away from flammable items and clothing otherwise the results can be catastrophic.

“It is not only children in fancy dress who we are concerned about, we also see a number of incidents where vulnerable adults accidentally set their clothing or bedding alight because they are placed too close to candles, cookers or gas heaters.”

The service’s top three candle safety tips are:

1) Keep candles well away from items that could catch fire like fancy dress costumes
2) Place them on a heat resistant surface, like a ceramic plate
3) Always place candles in a fire resistant container and make sure they are out of the reach of children

Firefighters at Stocksbridge station will be responding to medical emergencies as they become the first in South Yorkshire to take part in the Emergency First Responder (EFR) scheme.

The scheme is a joint initiative between South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue (SYFR) and Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust (YAS) which will see firefighters being called out to certain life-threatening incidents at the same time as an ambulance.

Training has included basic life support, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and oxygen therapy. They are equipped with a kit which includes oxygen and an automated external defibrillator (AED) to help patients in a medical emergency such as a heart attack, collapse or breathing difficulties.

An EFR will be despatched at the same time as an ambulance and will not replace the usual emergency medical response from YAS. However, their location within the local community could mean they are nearer to the scene in those first critical minutes of a medical emergency, delivering life-saving care until an ambulance arrives.

Emergency First Responders are only available for dispatch when staffing levels at their fire station allow and the scheme will not impact fire cover.

Head of Emergency Response at SYFR Phil Shillito said: “Our role as a fire service will always be to protect our communities and reach and save those who are in danger as quickly as possible. Our firefighters already do a great job of performing a wide range of duties beyond traditional firefighting – from attending flooding incidents to rescuing people from road traffic collisions. So I think it’s only natural for us to look for other ways to extend our skills and support the work of other local bodies, like the ambulance service.

“With this in mind, this partnership can only enhance the service we provide and will improve outcomes for people in need across South Yorkshire.”

Paul Stevens, Head of Community Resilience at YAS, said: “We have a responsibility to ensure we explore every available option to improve clinical outcomes for people in South Yorkshire and we are delighted to be working in partnership with SYFR on the county’s Emergency First Responder scheme.

“We have a very clear ambition to improve the survival rate for those people who suffer from a cardiac arrest in the community. We want to have world class levels of survival from cardiac arrest and the expansion of this initiative is another important element in saving more lives.”

Firefighters at Elm Lane fire station were returning from an incident at 7pm on Tuesday evening. While at the roundabout in Firth Park the fire engine was attacked by objects being thrown. Luckily no firefighters were injured and only very minor damage was done to the fire engine.

South Yorkshire Police have been informed and are investigating the incident.

Area Manager Mick Mason at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue said; “We are absolutely appalled that our firefighters appear to have been targeted in this way.

“Attacks like this place the safety of our firefighters, and the people they are trying to protect, at risk. But thankfully, this type of incident is extremely rare in South Yorkshire and it is only a tiny minority of people who would ever consider acting in such an irresponsible and dangerous way.

“Attacks on firefighters are falling and we believe the introduction of CCTV on fire engines has contributed to this fall.

“However, even one attack on a firefighter is unacceptable – and we will work alongside the police to fully investigate any attacks and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.”

If you have any information about this attack please call police via 101 and quoting incident number 885 from the 13 October or email enquiries@southyorks.pnn.police.uk

Edlington fire station is looking to recruit new members to its fire cadet team.

The cadets train at the station once a week, learning firefighting skills and techniques from specially qualified instructors.

Cadets also enrol on to the Routes 4 U education package, which covers the employability skills needed to work within the health and emergency services. Youngsters work towards a recognised qualification at the end of a 12 month course.

Fire Cadets also play a key role at community events, and attend team-building days throughout the year.

Recruits can be aged 13 to 17. The cadets meet every Wednesday from 6.00pm to 8.30pm.

Edlington Fire Cadet Branch Manager Daryl Aitken said: “We’re looking for enthusiastic and motivated youngsters who are eager to work with our fire cadet instructors to learn new skills, and support the fire service’s work in the local community. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain first-hand experience of fire station life and to work closely with local firefighters.”

For more information, contact email yffedlington@syfire.gov.uk