five “make it…” tips for safe Halloween costumes

“I be firefighter” exclaims Ethan quite frequently. He puts on a hat, wraps any cord or string he can find over his shoulder as his radio, and runs around the house saving people. We were planning a firefighter costume… until this morning when Audrey mentioned a skeleton. (Audrey has been talking about skeletons recently in reference to the bones in the body.) Ethan then suddenly had a change of heart and decided to be a skeleton. Audrey however has been going back and forth between the princesses, even though she was Belle last year. Today when I asked Audrey what she wanted to be this year for Halloween she pondered for a moment and then said, “Um mom, can I get back to you on that one?” So, I have no idea what costume they will ultimately choose, we will see what happens as we start shopping this weekend, but here are the thoughts I have in mind to choose safe costumes.

Five “make it…” tips for safe Halloween costumes

1. Make it fit! The outfit, including shoes, should fit the child appropriately so that they can move around safely. Avoid anything too long which could cause them to trip.
2. Make it flame-retardant! Avoid anything too loose which could be a fire hazard as they walk around or get caught in bushes or shrubs. Don’t buy a costume unless it’s labeled “flame-retardant.” This means the material won’t burn.
3. Make it visible! Choose a light-colored costume, attach something reflective to their costume or allow them to wear or carry a flashlight or glow stick to increase visibility to motorists.
4. Make it easy to see! Choose face paint and makeup when possible instead of masks because they can obstruct a child’s vision. Look for face paint that is listed as non-toxic and designed for skin. Consider a trial of the face paint on your child’s forearm or leg a few days before to monitor for an allergic reaction. Avoid the area around the eyes. Remember; do not leave the paint on overnight. Also, avoid decorative contact lenses.
5. Make it breathable! Make sure wigs and beards don’t cover your kids’ eyes, noses, or mouths making it difficult to breathe or see.

Lastly don’t forget to make it fun and safe! Halloween is an exciting time for families. You and your kids will enjoy the holiday even more knowing they are avoiding preventable injuries thanks to a safe costume!

Happy fall and I would love to hear about your best costume stories!!