Halloween Safety Tips & Costume Tricks for Your Trick-Or-Treaters

Safety never goes out of style, especially at Halloween when you may not always get treats! Keep your little ones safe and sound this Halloween season with these simple tips below. You don't need to buy a new costume every Halloween to keep up with the latest action figure craze or beauty queen fad. Learn how to make this year's costume with items you may already have in your closet!

Safety

Before your children chow down on their goodies, be sure to inspect all of their candy to be sure it hasn't been opened or meddled with.

If you find any treats that are in different wrapping or packaging, throw them away.

When shopping for or making your child's costume, stay away from long, flowing robes or capes that could be a tripping hazard and could also catch fire near any open flames.

Steer clear of masks that can impede your child's vision. Instead, use face paint.

Have your child carry a flashlight and put reflective tape on his or her costume. This will ensure that cars will see your little goblin or ghoul.

Chaperon children 12 years of age and under.

Remind your child never to go into a stranger's home.

It is also a good idea to start trick or treating right after school to avoid being out in the dark. Check with your neighbors to see when the festivities in your town are set to begin. By 6 p.m. on All Hallows Eve, the sun should be down.

Costumes

Get a jump-start on your child's costume by making one with supplies you probably have sitting around.

Make a gypsy outfit for your little girl with a peasant top and an ankle-length skirt. Add a scarf around her head and throw in some beads, bangles, and clip-on hoop earrings. Next, add some makeup to complete the look.

Turn your little beauty into a tumbling gymnast! Get her bathing suit out of the closet and add a jogging suit. Braid her hair or put it up in ponytails and add some glitter makeup! She's ready to stick the jump!

Is your son a geek-in-training? Have him dress the part. Find some old 70's styled golf plaid pants and pull them up past his waist. Add a belt. Now add a mismatched shirt and a wide tie. If you have any unused reading glasses lying around, put a piece of duct tape around the nosepiece. Add some Vaseline to his hair and come it back. Every nerd needs a pocket protector so stock up one with pens and a calculator.

To make your boy a bum to be, get out some of his scrungiest pants and shirts and throw them on. Put some brown make up on his face to look like dirt spots. Use a bandanna around the end of a broom to make a hobo sack and fill it with old newspaper!

Happy Haunting!