Hey kids, don't mess up when you dress up

With witches and goblins getting ready for their big night out, parents should get ready too. The stores are chock full of costumes for wee trick-or-treaters including some that could turn an evening of fright and fun into a night at the ER.  Here are some tips for buying or making safe Halloween costumes: 

• Consider buying light-colored or bright garments that are visible to motorists. If the costume is dark, apply some reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car’s headlights.
• Carefully consider the costume's flammability and opt for material that won't easily go up in smoke. If your child wants to be a mummy, don't wrap him in toilet paper, paper towels or gauze. Other fire hazards include big, baggy sleeves, trailing cloaks, and billowing skirts that can get too close to a jack-o-lantern. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends purchasing costumes, beards, masks, and wigs that have the "Flame Resistant" label.
• Make sure the costume is short enough so children won’t trip and fall.
• Make sure masks don’t obstruct your child’s vision.  Better yet, use FDA-approved facial make-up, instead of masks.
• Don’t allow your children to wear decorative, non-corrective contact lenses that are dispensed without a prescription. 
• Don't overlook the shoes; they should be sturdy and fit well. Mom's high heels may look great but if they're wobbly and unsteady—in other words, easy to trip over—consider something more well-grounded.
• If a sword, cane, or stick is part of a costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. Better yet—skip the sticks entirely. These accessories can easily cause harm including serious eye injuries.
• Give your child a flashlight to carry.—Don Mays

Comments

[Irene Willson]

We really appreciate the comments. We've decided to pass out small flashlights for Halloween 'Trick or Treaters', this year.