Many parents are now making or buying Halloween to get ready for the end of the month. The stores are full of monster masks, superhero costumes, and more. When selecting what your children will wear, though, you’ll want to consider safety as well as fashion. You want the stories – not safety hazards – to be the only scary thing this Halloween.
Here are some expert tips for choosing safe and fun Halloween costumes for your children:
1) Read the labels.
Look for costumes designed for your child’s age. Make sure that any costumes you pick up are flame resistant. Many people still use candles and lanterns when decorating for Halloween, so you need to make sure your child doesn’t face a burn hazard.
Another label you’ll want to read is the label on any Halloween makeup. Much of today’s Halloween makeup is imported, and even if it reads “non toxic” that doesn’t mean it’s safe for use on the face. Look for FDA-approved makeup that clearly states it’s okay to use on the face. If your older children want novelty contact lenses for Halloween, take them to the eye doctor now; buying novelty lenses online or at costume shops may be dangerous, since not all novelty lenses are safe.
2) Make sure the costume fits correctly.
Long, flowing costumes can pose a trip and fall hazard for your kids in Hollywood this Halloween. Billowing costumes can also snag on objects or can come into contact with lanterns and cause burn injuries. Make sure your child’s costume does no drag on the ground and fits correctly.
3) Assess for strangulation, tripping, and other risks.
Keep costume risks low by:
- Avoiding capes. Capes can be a tripping hazard if they’re long and can get caught on objects or can come into contact with flame. Even short capes can pose a strangulation risk.
- Checking the neck area. The neck area of any costume should be loose enough and clear of any sashes, jewelry, and any dangling items that could become wrapped around the neck.
- Eliminating drawstrings. These can pose a strangulation hazard for small children.
- Make sure treads on shoes are good. Many of the inexpensive shoes that come with costumes are not meant for outdoor use or are so inexpensively made that they have no treads, creating a fall risk. Choose regular, outdoor shoes for your child’s costume.
4) Make sure your child can see and be seen.
Use safe face paint rather than masks, which can slip and obstruct visibility. Make sure your child’s Halloween costume has reflective stickers and bright lights of some kind so motorists can see them.
5) Look for mobility.
Your children’s Halloween costumes should let them move freely. Be wary of any costumes that restrict feet or arms in any way; they can make falls more likely.
6) Check for sharp edges.
Accessories like swords and axes should be soft. Keep in mind that even “toy” accessories can have sharp edges or can be hard enough to cause damage during play. Always check costume accessories carefully; don’t just assume that a costume marketed for children is safe. Unfortunately, many products liability claims in Hollywood and across the country show otherwise.
If you or someone in your family has been injured by defective Halloween products or any products, you can always contact Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation. Call our full-service law firm to find out what can be done to help your family with the healing process.