Halloween Costume Safety Tips and Tricks

What are the tricks to choosing a kids' Halloween costume that will be a treat to wear? Choosing a Halloween costume for kids is more than just buying any costume your child likes. It has to be comfortable, safe to wear and of course express your child's personality.

•Talk with your child

I'm sure your child already has big plans for Halloween. If your child's idea of the perfect Halloween costume isn't jiving with your idea of a perfect Halloween costume, it's time to compromise. Talk with your child about their decision and come up with a Halloween costume both of you will enjoy.

•Take age into account

No child wants to look babyish, so remember that even if you think a Halloween costume is adorable, your child might not agree. On the flip side, too many Halloween costumes for tween girls are inappropriate. Talk with your teen ahead of time about choosing a costume that is age-appropriate, not too short and not overtly suggestive.

•Fit is important

Halloween costumes, especially store bought ones, rarely fit perfectly. They are designed to fit a wide variety of sizes and body types. It doesn't have to look perfect, but it does need to fit well enough to keep your child safe.

What to Avoid

Costumes that drag on the ground
Costumes that are too tight
Costumes that are tight around the neck
Long capes that can be stepped on

•Choose footwear wisely

It is especially important that all footwear fits properly. No one needs to get a blister on trick-or-treat night. Also, for girls, avoid those horrible, plastic play shoes that often come with princess costumes. These are a hazard and are not for outside wear. These types of play shoes are for indoor dress up time only. Wearing these shoes outside is a hazard, and a child wearing these shoes is at risk for falling and serious injury.

•Find the right mask

If your child's Halloween costume has a mask be absolutely sure that your child has a completely unobstructed view from inside the mask. All Halloween masks should have large eye-holes or better yet, be completely open around the eye area.

Also, the mask needs to be easy to breath in. Masks with small mouth holes are not safe and neither are masks that are tightly fitted around the neck.

•Choose props wisely

If your child's Halloween costume requires them to carry a prop, test the prop ahead of time to make sure it is soft and flexible. Think about what might happen if your child would fall on the prop. Be especially careful with toy swords and toy wands. Better yet, leave the prop behind. Besides, it's hard to carry all that candy and prop, right?

•Read the costume's tags

heck the tags to be sure that the costume is made from flame retardant materials.

What Does Flame Retardant Mean?

•Dress for the weather

Depending on where you live, think ahead about how trick-or-teating might be affected by the weather. Choose a costume that incorporates layers. If you live in a cold climate, there are a lot of great Halloween costumes that are quite warm. If you live in a warmer climate, consider how hot it can easily get under those polyester masks, hats and thick costumes. Think ahead and be prepared for an unseasonable night.

•Use reflective materials

All Halloween costumes should either have reflective or light-up features incorporated into the suit, or parents should apply reflective tape to their costumes. Remember, if it gets cold, the reflective tape needs to be on the jacket as well.

•Think ahead

Have your child try on his Halloween costume early so that you have time to make any necessary adjustments.
Face paint is an excellent alternative to Halloween masks.

Learn How: Face Painting for Halloween
If your child has sensitive skin cut out the inside tags.