| When fall rolls around and your children | | | | costumes for your children. You want the |
| start to discuss what Halloween costumes they | | | | outfits to fit comfortably with enough room |
| want to wear this year, they aren't thinking | | | | for warm clothing underneath, but nothing |
| about safety. They're focused on whether they | | | | should drag on the ground or be too long at |
| want to be a fairy princess, rock star, | | | | the sleeves. You never want anything that |
| ghoul, space alien, fireman or bumblebee. | | | | could snag on sharp corners or trip them when |
| You, on the other hand, are probably thinking | | | | walking. In fact, the number one cause of |
| about how to make sure your little ones will | | | | Halloween injuries in children each year is |
| be safe when they go trick or treating and | | | | trip and fall accidents! |
| attend Halloween parties. There are several | | | | |
| things to keep in mind when shopping for | | | | 4. Make sure the mask fits right. There is |
| Halloween costumes that will ensure that your | | | | nothing wrong with a mask as long as it fits |
| children are dressed safely. | | | | properly. If a Halloween mask covers a |
| | | | child's entire face, you may want to modify |
| 1. Buy flame resistant costumes. Check the | | | | it slightly. Check to see if your child can |
| label or, if ordering online, order from a | | | | see clearly through the eyeholes; if he or |
| reputable U.S. based company. These will | | | | she can't, carefully enlarge them to improve |
| adhere to all U.S. manufacturing guidelines. | | | | the field of vision. The same goes for the |
| Halloween is all about Jack-O-Lanterns and | | | | nose and mouth area. You want breathing to be |
| flickering candles, so you don't want kids | | | | unobstructed. If your child says the mask |
| wearing costumes that could ignite if they | | | | gets easily steamed up or feels too hot, |
| brush against a flame. If you'll be making | | | | enlarge the breathing holes. Consider using |
| the outfits yourself, make sure you use only | | | | make-up instead of a mask so that there is no |
| flame retardant materials. It's actually | | | | obstruction at all. |
| easier to purchase pre-made costumes these | | | | |
| days than to try and find the proper | | | | 5. Make sure make-up is hypo-allergenic. Face |
| materials in many instances. | | | | make-up is an excellent alternative to a mask |
| | | | because it doesn't block vision or breathing |
| 2. Keep night time visibility in mind. | | | | at all, however, you do want to test your |
| Whenever possible, Halloween costumes should | | | | child's skin before Halloween night. Test the |
| use bright and light colors that can be | | | | make-up on a small area (just under the chin |
| easily seen at night. This is relatively easy | | | | line is a good spot) a few days before doing |
| when your son wants to be a ghost or your | | | | the full makeup and leave on for a few hours. |
| daughter wants to dress as a fairy, but what | | | | Then watch the spot for 24 hours to see if |
| if one of your children wants to be the Grim | | | | there is any kind of a reaction. You can find |
| Reaper? You'll need to attach some reflective | | | | hypo-allergenic make-up at most larger |
| tape around the hem of the Grim Reaper's | | | | suppliers that will work on all but the most |
| black gown and sleeves if he's going | | | | sensitive skins. |
| trick-or-treating. Don't compromise on his | | | | |
| safety! A flashlight is always a good idea | | | | Halloween costumes are the highlight of the |
| for kids as well; you can find small | | | | holiday for children - dressing up and |
| flashlights in colors to match any costume at | | | | pretending to be someone else for a magical |
| major chain stores everywhere. | | | | night of make-believe is what Halloween is |
| | | | all about. Following these tips will ensure |
| 3. Good fit is essential. Be sure to check | | | | that it's not only fun but safe as well. |
| the size charts when you order Halloween | | | | |