Halloween Costumes: 10 Safety Tips

Whether your children will be going trick-or-treating or attending a Halloween party, a few precautions can help make their experience safe and enjoyable according to

Erica Surman, RN, pediatric trauma program manager, Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak.

Below are 10 costume safety tips:

• Purchase or make costumes that are bright, reflective and can be seen in low light conditions. Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes.
• Most commercial costumes are flame resistant, check the label on your child’s costume to ensure it’s made of flame-retardant material.
• Make sure that if a costume has a prop like a knife or pitchfork that it’s soft and flexible. This will ensure if the treat-or-treater falls or trips they will not be injured by sharp or hard edges.
• Test all face paint and costume make-up to make sure your child doesn’t develop a rash or adverse skin reaction.
• Make sure your child’s costume doesn’t impede their ability to walk- shoes should fit properly and the length of the costume should allow your child to move freely.
• Be careful of sharp edges on masks and make sure it fits your child properly.
• Tell your child to remove their mask when walking from house to house for better vision.
• Don’t allow trick-or-treaters to change their eye color with nonprescription cosmetic contact lenses. This may not only impede vision, but can result in an eye infection and/or damage to the eyes.
• Make yourself and your trick-or-treaters visible- use reflective treat bags; bring flashlights with new batteries; or use “glow sticks.”
• Older children should wear a watch and carry a cell phone.

Surman added, “Beaumont is committed to helping patients manage their family’s health. Education and awareness are key to accident and trauma prevention.”