Safe Halloween Costumes for Kids
Keep Children Safe With Appropriate Apparel for All Hallows' Eve
Sep 29, 2009
Sure Halloween is fun, but accidents happen. John Sullivan, assistant research scientist at the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute, says that kids are 4.5 times more likely to be hit by an automobile on Halloween.
And the number one cause of Halloween-related accidents is trips and falls. According to Pamela Pucci, nurse educator with the University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center, “Between 4 and 10 p.m. on Halloween, there is a significant increase in falls, burn-related injuries, and pedestrian injuries." Many of these mishaps are costume-related.
Safe Halloween Costume Basics
Halloween costumes are a fantasy maven's playground for the imagination. They come in all shapes, colors and sizes. A kid can be anything he wants – a superhero, like Batman or Spiderman; a favorite novel character, like Harry Potter; a cartoon, like Sponge Bob or Mickey Mouse; or a more traditional creature – a ghost, witch, pirate or princess.
Much of Halloween's appeal comes from the proper apparel. Parents can either buy the perfect costume, or make one by hand.
Hand made costumes have a certain charm. Many times they can be put together easily and cheaply from materials on-hand. Old T-shirts, ripped and torn and stained with fake blood; Mom's wigs (or Dad's toupees); old hats, scarves, and adult clothing. Imagination can come up with some wonderful looks.
Older kids can help design and make their costumes. Keep the project simple, however, and don't fall into the trap of trying to create a masterpiece. Kids probably won't appreciate the many hours and dollars that went into making it – and won't care.
On the other hand, store bought costumes have their own appeal. They come in a variety of themes and designs that may be hard to duplicate by hand. And they, too, are easy to acquire. Order online well ahead of time, or buy from a party supply store. If purchasing a used costume from a consignment store, make sure it's washed thoroughly before it's worn.
Whether hand made or store bought, take into consideration these caveats for a safe Halloween costume.
General Safe Halloween Costume Comfort
- Make sure the costume is sized appropriately. It should be large enough for warm clothes to be worn under it and allow a wide range of motion, but not so loose that there's a danger of catching any part of it on protrusions.
- Hems should be short enough (around ankle high) that kids won't trip.
- Avoid bulky, cumbersome costumes that hinder reaction time, are awkward to move in, and hard to get in and out of doors and tight places.
- It's a good idea to place a tag with a child's name, address and phone number somewhere on his costume.
Fire Resistance for Scary Costumes
- Halloween costumes should be made from fire resistant material. Flame retardant material is reluctant to catch fire and burns slowly (100% polyester is best. Avoid 100% cotton, which ignites quickly).
- Check material labels, and order costumes from reputable companies.
- Teach children to watch for folks using candles (or Jack-o-lanterns with candles in them) for Halloween illumination and decoration, and to avoid brushing up against them if present.
Trick-or-Treat Visibility
- Kids need to be easily seen at night. Costumes should be made from a light colored material. Dark colors disappear at night.
- If dark material is unavoidable, use reflective tape at cuffs and hems, and on the costume's back. If buying a costume, make sure it comes with reflective tape.
- Have children wear glow-in-the-dark (luminescent) wrist bands.
- If a child has light-up sports shoes, have her wear them.
- A flashlight is a must. If a standard light, coach kids to avoid shining it in driver's faces. Flashlights also come in models with a variety of colored lenses.
Masks versus Makeup
- Over the head or facial masks should fit properly. They should be slightly loose so they can be easily removed – not so large as to flop around or become misaligned, but roomy enough to allow air to circulate freely.
- Make sure eye holes are properly aligned to permit a clear line-of-sight, and that they don't block peripheral vision.
- Nose holes should be big enough to allow the child plenty of air.
- Enlarge eye and nose holes if needed.
- Read the label on makeup. It should be non-toxic and allergen free.
- Use water-resistant makeup, and don't apply it too close to the child's eyes.
- Before using makeup, test for hypo-allergenic reactions. Apply a small amount to the neck. Leave it on for a few hours, and observe over a 24 hour period. Don't use if the child breaks out in a rash or hives or has any other adverse reaction.
- Only use materials intended for use on skin.
- The FDA regulates makeup additives. By law, color additives must be approved by the FDA for use in cosmetics, including Halloween makeup.
Safe Halloween Costume Accessories
- Costume accessories like swords, knives, wands, and staffs should be flexible, with blunt tips and dull edges.
- Don't let a child wear high heels or floppy, out-sized shoes.
- Use plastic Jack-o-lantern containers or some other durable material instead of paper sacks for holding candy. Paper sacks are awkward to hold and tear easily, especially when damp.
Highly visible, fire resistant costumes that fit correctly and come with roomy masks, skin-friendly makeup and kid-safe accessories can contribute to a child's safety on Halloween night, as well as a parent's peace of mind.
Remember – kids can be anything they want on All Hallows' Eve. The one thing they should not be, however, is a statistic.
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