Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween should be fun for kids, but there are also a number of safety issues that all parents should consider. To make sure the costume you choose is safe and fun, make sure you follow these essential Halloween costume safety tips.

Flame Resistant Costumes

The US government urges all parents to ensure that any kids Halloween costume you buy has a Flame Resistant label – this is especially important when carrying jack-o-lanterns lit with candles.

Flame resistance means that, if the clothing does set fire, it can be quickly extinguished. No costume is going to be completely protected against setting fire in the first place, but this label makes sure the clothing as safe as possible.

Safety During The Dark

Trick or treating at Halloween is usually done in the dark. Although there will be a lot of people out in some areas, it’s still important to take precautions so that your kids can be seen be other people, especially in cars.

Some tips include giving your child a flashlight to carry around with them for the evening, and adding a reflective trim to your child’s costume to make it easier for drivers to spot them. You can also get clip on lights and build this into the child’s costume so that they’re always visible and can see where they’re going.

Is Your Costume Safe For Children?

Aside from the specific concerns above, there are also a few other things you’ll want to consider when it comes to kids Halloween costume safety.

* If your child is wearing a mask as part of their costume, does it fit properly? There’s a danger that it could restrict breathing if it’s too tight. Aside from this, children wearing masks may find it difficult to see where they’re going, increasing the risk of them falling or getting lost. Make sure that the mask has good-sized eyeholes.

* Children should never use toy weapons, such as swords, guns and so on, that look real. They can hurt themselves if they’re playing with any sharp objects, so only buy very fake-looking weapons made out of soft materials.

* Make sure that your child can easily walk around in their costume. If it’s too long for them, they might trip and fall. The same goes for uncomfortable or ill-fitting shoes.

It isn’t always easy to get your children to listen to these kids Halloween costume safety tips, so you may have to sit down with them to help them understand why it’s so important.