Costume Caution
Whether you're making or buying your child's outfit this Halloween, beware of these risky design flaws.
Problem: The costume makes your child hard to see in the dark.
Solution: Pick out or create a light-colored or bright costume that will be visible to drivers. If your child wants to be dark and spooky, decorate the outside of his costume with strips of reflective tape (which you can find in most hardware stores). Make sure the candy bag he carries is also brightly colored or trimmed in reflective tape.
Problem: It's a tripping hazard.
Solution: Falls are a major cause of injuries on Halloween, so it's important to make sure your child's costume fits. To prevent her from tripping on curbs, steps, or the hem itself, keep pants, dresses, and capes above her ankles. She should be able to wear warmer clothes underneath the costume if it's cold out, but the outfit shouldn't be so loose that it catches on doorknobs. Don't let her wear shoes or hats that are too big.
Problem: It's flammable.
Solution: If you're buying a costume, make sure it's labeled "flame resistant." This doesn't mean that the outfit is burnproof, but that the material won't catch on fire as easily or burn as quickly. Keep your child away from jack-o'-lanterns and other open flames.
Problem: Your child's wearing a mask.
Solution: An ill-fitting mask makes it difficult for your child to see potential dangers when he's near a busy street or negotiating steps. The mask can also scrape his face and eyes. Consider using nontoxic makeup instead (see "Face-Painting Pointers"). If he wants to wear a mask, make sure it's the right size -- the eye and mouth holes should be large enough for him to see and breathe through properly.
Problem: The accessories are dangerous.
Solution: Carefully choose the props to go with her outfit, and remove choking hazards -- such as buttons and beads -- from younger children's costumes. Swords, wands, and other props can cause eye, face, and head injuries, so use a flexible material, such as cardboard. Avoid hats with cords, which can get caught on objects and strangle your child.
Whether you're making or buying your child's outfit this Halloween, beware of these risky design flaws.
Problem: The costume makes your child hard to see in the dark.
Solution: Pick out or create a light-colored or bright costume that will be visible to drivers. If your child wants to be dark and spooky, decorate the outside of his costume with strips of reflective tape (which you can find in most hardware stores). Make sure the candy bag he carries is also brightly colored or trimmed in reflective tape.
Problem: It's a tripping hazard.
Solution: Falls are a major cause of injuries on Halloween, so it's important to make sure your child's costume fits. To prevent her from tripping on curbs, steps, or the hem itself, keep pants, dresses, and capes above her ankles. She should be able to wear warmer clothes underneath the costume if it's cold out, but the outfit shouldn't be so loose that it catches on doorknobs. Don't let her wear shoes or hats that are too big.
Problem: It's flammable.
Solution: If you're buying a costume, make sure it's labeled "flame resistant." This doesn't mean that the outfit is burnproof, but that the material won't catch on fire as easily or burn as quickly. Keep your child away from jack-o'-lanterns and other open flames.
Problem: Your child's wearing a mask.
Solution: An ill-fitting mask makes it difficult for your child to see potential dangers when he's near a busy street or negotiating steps. The mask can also scrape his face and eyes. Consider using nontoxic makeup instead (see "Face-Painting Pointers"). If he wants to wear a mask, make sure it's the right size -- the eye and mouth holes should be large enough for him to see and breathe through properly.
Problem: The accessories are dangerous.
Solution: Carefully choose the props to go with her outfit, and remove choking hazards -- such as buttons and beads -- from younger children's costumes. Swords, wands, and other props can cause eye, face, and head injuries, so use a flexible material, such as cardboard. Avoid hats with cords, which can get caught on objects and strangle your child.
