JB5to get 5% OFF to all Items✨
10 Halloween Costume Safety Tips

10 Halloween Costume Safety Tips

10 Halloween Costume Safety Tips

Halloween costumes create the perfect opportunity for kids to exercise their creativity and imagination through pretend play. However, while they are a lot of fun, you cannot afford to overlook the importance of costume safety. 

This guide will outline some of the most important Halloween costume safety tips. Keep them in mind when shopping for Halloween costumes for your little one and you’ll have some peace of mind knowing they are having safe, carefree, spooktacular fun this Halloween! 

1. Go For Flame-Resistant Materials

Halloween season means your child will be near lanterns and candles and decorative flames. Certain costumes do not meet the federal flammability standard, making them dangerous to wear on Halloween. 

Whether you plan to make costumes yourself or buy them from the store, you need to take necessary precautions to make sure that the materials you go for are as safe as possible for your child. 

Examples of fire-safe fabrics for Halloween include knit or tightly woven fabrics that are more fire-resistant, snug-fitting outfits that are less likely to waft into flames, and wool or modacrylics. Cotton and silk can also be treated to increase flame resistance. Synthetic fabrics like nylon, acrylic, and polyester are generally safe but not heat-resistant. 

2. Layer Up

Have your kids wear layers under the costume because Halloween tends to be rather chilly. Make sure they have warm layers underneath to keep the cold out. Woolen undergarments like tights are great for this because they trap warm air inside to act as an insulator.

3. Go For Halloween Costumes That Are Made Out Of One Material

Single-material costumes are less likely to catch on fire. When a costume comes with lots of different fabrics, all of them react to fire differently and unexpectedly. Some melt and stick to the skin causing serious burns while others even fuel the fire, leading to a worse situation than single-material costumes. 

4. Look At labels On Face Paints

Make sure all the face paint you buy is FDA approved. The ingredients will usually be displayed on the packaging. Avoid anything that might be toxic. 

Some face paints are marked as “non-toxic.” This does not always mean that they are safe for your little one’s skin. Do an allergy test on a small patch of skin to eliminate the risk of an allergic reaction. 

Once your kids are done trick-or-treating, ensure that you remove any costume makeup before sleep to prevent skin irritation.

5. Forget Capes

A lot of popular Halloween costumes come with capes: from vampires to magicians to superheroes. However, capes are tripping hazards to young kids. They also pose an additional strangulation risk. Therefore, you want to ditch capes along with any costumes or accessories that are tight around the neck.

6. Accessorize Safely

Accessories like swords, wands, and knives should be soft, sort, and flexible. If you think your child might hurt themselves with the accessory, get rid of it altogether. They’ll still have the time of their lives! 

7. Bright Colored Costumes Are Great For Visibility

Whenever possible, choose bright and reflective costumes. Since they’ll be trick or treating in the evening, you want to make sure that they are as visible as possible. You can also give them a glow stick to carry or add extra reflective tape to their costume. This will make it easier for motorists to see them, reducing the risk of accidents.

8. Avoid Masks If You Can

Masks, especially ill-fitting ones, can obscure your child’s vision. If you have to use a mask, they need to fit snugly, comfortably, and without slipping. The eye holes should be big enough for them to see out of and your child should be able to breathe comfortably when wearing the mask. 

9. Confirm That The Costume Fits

When a costume is too big, or when it billows or looks flimsy, it becomes a tripping hazard and dangerous for them. They can also get caught in Halloween candles. 

10. Don’t Forget About The Shoes!

Your child’s shoes will need to have a proper grip to ensure that they do not slip and fall as they run around. They should also fit properly to avoid getting blisters and achy feet.

Final Thoughts

For most kids, Halloween is one of the highlights of the year as it brings with it the opportunity to eat as much candy as they want. Plus, they get to wear cool costumes that are an extension of their personality. However, while they focus on having fun, you need to ensure that their costumes are safe for them to wear. The tips outlined here will help you achieve exactly that. Good luck! 

Leave a comment

* Required fields

Please note: comments must be approved before they are published.