PrintIn thinking about Halloween safety, there is a lot more than the boogey man hiding behind a tree. As the owner of a martial arts school, I can tell you that what you wear has a lot to do with your safety, and your ability to move comfortably. Here are a few things to consider when selecting your (child’s) costume this year.
First of all, does it fit? Is your child able to move comfortably in his/her costume? Are the pants hemmed to the right height, or is your child tripping over them? I have seen several children break their teeth on the sidewalk because they tripped over something. Don’t let it be their pants.
Is their mask so big that it is hanging off their face? Be sure that in addition to being able to move comfortably, your child can see easily and clearly through their mask. I am blind in my left eye. As an adult, I still bump into things. Don’t put your child in that predicament. Check their ability to see before they leave the house.
My son loves anything with plastic swords, knives, etc. Pirates, ninja turtles, the galloping gourmet; it’s all the same to him. If your child is going out with a similar object, make sure that it is not too rigid. It should be soft and flexible enough that if he/she should fall and land on it, that it will not cause serious injury (or any injury at all!).
If you are painting your child’s face, please read the label. Face paint should be non-toxic and hypoallergenic. Nothing worse than a plastic pumpkin full of candy, and a face full of itchy rash at the end of an afternoon of trick-or-treating.
Back to costumes, be sure that your child’s costume is flame-retardant. As an adult with three of my own children, I understand how deadly serious this is. Depending on where you live, people may still burn leaves, or have lanterns or candles outside. Don’t put your child unnecessarily at risk of catching fire. I get chills even writing that.
Finally, reflective tape
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