5 Tips for a Safe Halloween

Most children love Halloween – dressing in costumes, wearing fancy face paint and going out trick or treating with friends and family. Halloween can be a fun event for children as long as safety measures are discussed and implemented. Since most trick or treating takes place after it has begun to get dark outside, knowing how to keep your kids safe becomes an important task.

* Reflective strips can be adhered to costumes in order to increase your child’s visibility. You can purchase reflective strips at either a Halloween costume store or at your local fabric store. The strips come in a variety of colors and sizes so you can match them up with your child’s costume.

* While masks are a typical part of a Halloween costume, they can also be a potential hazard if they are not secured correctly or if they are not fitted properly. Many masks come in a "one size fits all," but children have varying head sizes so the masks tend to mainly be loose on children. A loose mask can float around the face, causing your child to trip or fall, while a tight mask can cut off circulation or cause a potential choking hazard. When buying a mask, have your child try on the mask in the store prior to purchasing to ensure that it fits properly.

* Make-up can play a vital part in designing a Halloween costume. What some parents do not realize, however, is that not all make-up is hypoallergenic and can cause allergic reactions. Some apparent allergic reactions are hives, rashes and itchiness on the face or body parts that the make-up was applied to. To test the make-up prior to application, place a small amount on the inside of your child’s wrist a few days prior to Halloween. If there is no reaction after an hour, the make-up can be deemed safe for use.

* Make sure you purchase costumes and wigs that are flame retardant. All it takes is one spark for an entire outfit to light up on fire and pose a potential fatal hazard to your child. Flame-retardant costumes and wigs are resistant to spreading flames and are easily contained if they catch fire.

* Flashlights are a necessity, especially if trick or treating after dark. In addition to carrying flashlights, safety tags with your child’s information can be carried in case your child gets lost.

Halloween is a fun holiday for kids who like to get dressed up and go trick or treating. However, with Halloween also comes the need to protect your children. Following safety tips such as wearing reflective strips, a proper fitting mask and carrying flashlights can help to keep your child safe when out trick or treating with friends or family. Most importantly, parental supervision is necessary, and instilling safety awareness in your children is beneficial to keeping them safe.