8 Easy Tips for a Safer Children's Halloween Costume

Halloween is right around the corner and this means that dozens of little ghouls and goblins will be donning their crazy costumes and outrageous outfits to trick or treat on Halloween evening. To ensure that your little characters have a safe and hazard free night of trick or treating, take a few minutes to check their costumes for any potential dangers. Here is a list of things that you should check to ensure a safe and happy Halloween night:

Ensure that the child's Halloween costume is fire retardant. With the number of candles in jack-o-lanterns, and other potential hazards, this seemingly obvious precaution is sometimes overlooked.

If the Halloween costume has a mask, ensure that the eye holes are large enough in the mask to provide sufficient fields of vision for the child. In lieu of a face mask, consider face paint, makeup, or even a wig as these items will not restrict the child's vision.

If the child is wearing a full head mask, ensure that the nose and mouth holes are large enough to provide adequate ventilation and breathing. In addition, ensure that your child can hear properly when the mask is worn. Again, you may want to consider a safer alternative such as face paint or makeup.

The clothes that comprise the Halloween costume should be well fitted to the child. Check the fit of the clothing for the following:

• Avoid excessively baggy or loose clothes which may present tripping hazards.
• Avoid hanging sleeves that may be caught on objects and may pose a fire hazard around the open flames of jack-o-lanterns
• Avoid long capes as they may pose a tripping hazard and if strung around the neck may pose a choking hazard
• Avoid clothing that is too tight or restrictive
• Ensure that the child is dressed appropriately for the temperature to avoid sweating or becoming chilled
• Use light colored costumes in lieu of dark colored costumes so that the child is more visible

Incorporate reflective tape into the shoes, pant legs, and back of the children's costume so that they are visible to motorists. You can cut out spooky shapes like bats, ghosts or pumpkins to keep the reflective tape in the spirit of the Halloween season.

Fasten a glow-stick to the back of the child's Halloween costume with a piece of string to present a visual identifier even in the dark. These are available at any department store or sports store that sells camping equipment.

Include a flashlight in the child's Halloween costume to aid in their visibility and their ability to see where they are walking. Flashlights made specifically for Halloween can be purchased at the dollar store with light up pumpkins, ghosts and other Halloween characters. Make sure that the flashlight has a wrist loop so that the child can free up their hand if needed and not loose the flashlight.

Ensure that the child's footwear is comfortable, well fitting and that the laces are securely tightened. The child may be walking for a while so this will help prevent blisters and tripping.

Don't forget to bring along a few treats that you have purchased in case the child wants to snack on a few treats. Do not allow the child to eat any candy until you have thoroughly inspected it. Some hospitals offer a free Halloween candy screening service as well. Be sure that your little ones have a safe and happy Halloween night full of trick or treating delights. Be cautious crossing streets, be mindful of cars, and most of all have a happy Halloween.