Halloween Costume Safety Tips

Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids (and grown-ups!). To help ensure they have a safe holiday, here are eight tips the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests for keeping kids safe in their costumes:

1. Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
2. Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.
3. Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.
4. When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
5. If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child’s costume, make sure it is not sharp or too…