Choose Safe Halloween Costumes and Creatively Enhance Halloween Safety

Halloween is supposed to be a spooky night of fun for children. In order to ensure your child has a safe Halloween night, start with a safe costume.

With the multitude of toy recalls, parents have reinvested time in researching safe products for their children. On a night when plenty of little ghosts and goblins are out roaming the streets, keep the following safety tips in mind when choosing a Halloween costume for your children.

Always Use Flame Retardant Materials: When purchasing a store costume, check the label to ensure the product in flame retardant. If you are making your child's costume, buy only flame retardant fabrics. Remember that your child will be walking around in the dark with lots of Jack O' Lanterns shining brightly! Discuss the "stop-drop-and-roll" rule, just in case your child gets too close!

Watch The Wigs: Again, check for Flame Retardant labels, but also make sure the wig does not compromise your child's vision. If needed, use bobby pins to secure the wig, keeping hair out of the child's eyes.

Go Light And Bright: Look for brightly or lightly colored costumes. Darker costumes will be harder for drivers to see in the evening hours. By choosing a light or bright costume, you are increasing your child's visibility and safety. Consider purchasing reflective tape for your child's costume and bag. Cut it in shapes to enhance the child's costume. Your child will appreciate the "glow in the dark" features if they work with the costume.

Make Sure The Costume Fits Properly: If you are making your child's costume, make sure you have your child's size in mind. Trim patterns if necessary. When purchasing a costume, make sure it is the right size for your child. If it is too long, get out the scissors and start making alterations. Costumes that are too long can cause trips, falls and scraped knees. Avoid big, baggy costumes, especially for little children. Legs and feet can get tangled in too much fabric.

Safe Shoes: Shoes are often overlooked in Halloween costumes. Shoes should be sturdy and safe. Consider making a matching cover for your child's tennis shoes.

Get Creative: Rather than using a mask, use make up to decorate your child's face. Masks can slip down, covering a child's eyes. Furthermore, they frequently impair peripheral vision. Purchase a make up kit and put your artistic skills to the test.

Encourage Children's Creativity: Be careful when choosing costume accessories. Swords, knives and wands can be sharp! Drag out the art supplies and assist your child in making cardboard accessories. Or challenge your child to invent a costume that needs no accessories-- freeing little hands to carry the most important accessory of all...

Don't Forget The Flashlight: Fun flashlights and glow sticks are the staples of a happy and safe Halloween. And they provide much needed light in the darkness that makes Halloween so magical and mystical. Pick up extra batteries for the ghost stories that will last until the wee hours of the morning.