Dark colors are spooky and masks are fun, but both can be hazards. Be mindful of safety on Halloween.
With trick-or-treat coming, parents should be mindful of these Halloween costume safety tips and guidelines, to keeping the night fun for everyone, and injury-free.
Masks
Halloween masks come in all shapes, sizes and coverage. They range from just a covering over the eye area to something that goes over the entire head. All masks can pose a hazard by hindering your child’s vision. Halloween activities are already loud and chaotic, in addition to occurring at night. Don’t allow your child to wear a mask that impedes any part of his or her vision or depth perception.
A great alternative to masks is face painting, which can also create a memorable and creative experience for your child. If you decided to face paint, remember:
- Choose a face paint that is specifically labeled as safe for children because too many paints on the market have lead and other chemicals.
- Metallic craft glitter, acrylic paint and washable markers are not safe for a child’s skin.
- Just because a paint is labeled as non-toxic does not mean it is safe, especially for skin.
- Wash your hands and only use clean brushes.
- Make your own face paint by mixing face cream and organic food colorants.
Costumes
It seems that the variety of costumes is infinite, from fairy princesses to galactic warriors to book characters. But keep safety in mind when choosing a Halloween costume for your child to prevent tripping, falls and burns.
- Make sure the costume is not too long so that it may trip your child.
- Dark colors are spooky, but they are also difficult to see at night. If a costume is dark, attach some glow sticks and have your child carry a flashlight.
- Decorate a costume with reflective or glow-in-the-dark stickers.
- Be aware of the flammability of costume materials. Pay close attention when your child is near candles, fireplaces, bonfires or lit pumpkins.
To learn more about Halloween safety, click here.
