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The right costume for you or your child can make all the difference for a fun Halloween. Adults seem to go more for horror-themed costumes while kids seem to go for super heroes or the popular TV cartoon of the day. Letting your child pick out his or her own costume, within reason, will give them a sense of responsibility and make them feel good about themselves.
Whether store bought or homemade, Halloween costumes should be fun and scary, yet safe. Below are some ideas to hazard-proof your Halloween fun. Costumes should be scary to those who see them, not those who wear them.
Here are some easy tips to make your Halloween a safe and happy one.
Kids Costume Tips
› Costumes should be made of flame retardant material. If they are home made, make sure to use either a fire retardant spray or fabric that has been treated with fire retardant.
› Make sure to work into your child’s costume reflector strips, a flash light or light stick to make them more visible at night. This will ensure they are seen by drivers and that you can keep an eye on them as well if they get ahead of you while trick-or-treating.
› Do not include high heel shoes or long dangling pieces of costume that your child could trip over. A scraped knee or bloody nose can really ruin their fun.
› If they are carrying a prop such as a scythe or sword, make sure they are made out of a flexible plastic that will bend if fallen on. Most of the props available today are made of flexible plastic.
› If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are big enough to see through. They should be able to see directly in front of them and peripherally as well. You may have to cut them open further yourself. If so, use some black or gray grease paint around the eye socket to cover skin.
› If you and your child are going out with a group, make their costume a unique one so you can spot them easily in a crowded area. Use flashing lights or jewelry to make them stand out.
Adult Costume Tips
› Make sure your costume fits properly to avoid any accidents like tripping over a long dress or cape. Make sure it is comfortable since you’ll probably be wearing it for a few hours.
› If you plan on doing any trick-or-treating with a group, and yes, some adults still do go out trick-or-treating, make sure your group isn’t too big and you all have some type of reflective or flashing item on your person so cars can see you.
› If you are wearing a mask, make sure that it is comfortable, has adequate eye holes and proper ventilation. If you have to cut the eye holes bigger, just use matching grease paint around your eyes to fill in where you have removed the mask.
Picking your costume should be a fun and exciting time for you and your child. Just take your time, try it on in the store if possible and make sure that it’s something that you really like.
(Courtesy of 86th Security Forces Squadron)
