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All these costumes - what will your child be this year? Choosing costumes and dressing your child appropiately for Hallowe’en is a very important consideration at this time of year. Many parents are swayed by the cute look or the price and don’t take into account the necessary safety factors.
Make sure the mask of the costume you choose has large enough holes for the eyes, nose and mouth. You child needs to be able to see properly, breathe comfortable and be able to speak clearly. If the openings are not large enough, cut away any necessary restrictions to make it so – even at the expense of the look of the mask. Make sure the costume isn’t too large for your child at the arms or legs. Many houses have candles outside or nearby on display and loose clothing will easily catch fire if the material is too long. Tack up the sleeves or pant legs so that your child’s hand and feet are unobstructed.
Loose hair or wigs are fun, but make sure they are well-fitting and not going to slip down and block the child’s vision or hearing. Any face paints must be non-toxic and able to wash away easily with soap and water. Avoid putting make-up around the eye area - children tend to rub their eyes and smearing make-up will only cause irritations that could affect their vision.
Treats should all be inspected by the parents - that includes even packaged goods like chip bags and rolled candy. Any concerns like a small tear in the package or puncture should be taken seriously and the item thrown away. It is better to be safe than sorry. Any apples or homemade candy like popcorn, etc, should also be closely inspected - unless you know the person who gave these items to your child, it is better to be cautious and also dispose of these - you never know what these items may or may not contain.
If your child is going out later in the evening, make sure they attired appropiately for the weather, even if that means extra clothing under the outfit or a jacket - fall evenings can become very chilly. If a parent isn’t accompanying them, make sure that they have reflectors or tiny flashlights to alert passer-bys or cars of their presence – evenings are now getting darker earlier, and many people won’t notice a child dressed in a dark costume on the sidewalks or streets. Try to send them out with a neighbor or friend – they should never travel alone house to house, but have a companion. They should carry a few extra bags for gathering candies and when they become bogged down, that they know to either call it a night, or at least return home and deposit some there before continuing on. Carrying too much will slow them down, and distract them from noticing potential hazards like candle-lit pumpkins at doorways or uneven sidewalks.
Hallowe’en is a fun night, but safety should always be in the mind of the parent before they send their child out to Trick or Treat.
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