RoSPA Press Office : Press Release
November 3, 1998
WINTER FEARS FOR SAFETY FASHION VICTIMS
Shoppers are being urged not to become safety fashion victims this winter.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is using National Consumer Week to point out that even clothes can be killers. Drawstrings, hoods and shoes are among the many items which can pose problems.
David Jenkins, RoSPA Product Safety Adviser, said: "Many people will be buying winter clothing now completely unaware that they could be putting themselves or their children at risk."
Coats are involved in around 4,000 people a year going to hospital and high heel shoes account for more than 7,000 trips to accident and emergency departments.
David Jenkins is particularly concerned about the drawstrings on coats, anoraks and cagoules which have led to at least three fatal accidents in recent years after becoming trapped in train and bus doors.
"I have also heard of children being pulled along the pavement by cars after drawstrings have become caught in the doors," he said.
"There is a British Standard for children’s clothing which says such strings should not protrude more than 14 cm (just under 6in), but clothing is still sold which does not meet the standard - and no such standard exists for adult clothing.
"Shoppers should not buy clothing with strings and decorations which are so long they have the potential to become trapped.
"I am also worried about the hoods on some coats which make it almost impossible for wearers to turn their heads and see clearly when crossing the road."
Fashion shoes with large heels could be dangerous at any time of year - but particularly in winter when pavements were slippery, he said.
If, as forecast, flatter shoes were coming back into vogue, it might lead to fewer accidents. But if people did want to wear high heels, perhaps it would be safer to wear lower heels on the way to a club, and change into high heels when they arrived.
