Halloween Costume Safety for Children

A number of years ago, one of my children wanted to be a robot for Halloween. We assembled a wonderful costume for him out of cardboard boxes and flex tubing which had been decorated with silver spray paint. From his cardboard helmet to his robot shoes, he looked like the real deal.

Unfortunately it didn't occur to any of us that the poor kid couldn't see where he was headed. Come Halloween, we watched him careening down the sidewalk with his younger brother only to return five minutes later, with a suit that had been smashed to bits after a tumble on a neighbor's front porch. In our determination to create the perfect costume, we neglected to think about safety.

So what makes a safe Halloween costume?

Whether making your own Halloween costume or buying one that's already made, there are some basic things to be mindful of where safety is concerned.

A Halloween costume shouldn't restrict vision or movement. While those full face mask are piles of fun, a person's vision is terribly restricted in this kind of a get-up, making it completely unsafe for Trick or Treating. Our little imps will be walking down dark sidewalks, roadsides, or across streets, scampering through unfamiliar yards and obstacles, and climbing porches. Their costumes and head wear must not prevent them from walking or climbing safely, or obstructing their vision when they cross the streets and head into neighbors yards.

Capes and dresses should be the proper length and not trailing behind where they can be stepped on. Shoes should be properly laced and the correct size. Masks or shrouds should not be worn since they do restrict peripheral vision; a much safer alternative is to use Halloween face makeup instead. Props, hats and other accessories, such as swords and pitch forks should be made of plastic and the right size for their height.