Halloween Safety - Ghosts and Goblins are out- are you ready???

There is hardly a soul on earth who doesn't enjoy Halloween. Halloween can be one of the greatest nights of the whole year, and there is no greater feeling than seeing your child all dressed up in their Halloween Costume. Whether you enjoy getting all dressed up for a costume party, going trick or treating with the kids or staying at home passing out candy to little vampires and fairies, there is one thought that should always be in your mind - Safety. The sheer emotion and thrill of getting that bag full of candy or seeing who is best dressed sometimes pushes safety to the back of our minds. We at MrCostumes would like for your next Halloween to be filled with good memories, so we have come up with a few tips to help make that happen.

Going out Trick or Treating

• Only stop at houses in your neighborhood of people you know unless you are with an adult
• Always carry a glow stick or some type of light so you will be well seen
• Outline bags or costumes with bright reflective tape that can be easily seen by motorists
• Try to go out as early as possible, especially in areas that are not well lit
• Do not visit dark and unlit houses
• Never eat any candy until you get home and it is inspected by your parents, particularly unwrapped candy. Carefully look over novelty items received by young children, as they may pose a possible choking hazard
• Never, ever go into a stranger's house or get into their car
• Notify the proper authorities of any suspicious behavior. It is better to be safe than sorry

Costume Safety Tips

• Make sure that your child's costume fits properly
• For costumes with longer hems, make sure the length is not too long so that they won't trip and fall, or too short to attract negative attention
• For costumes with props, make sure the edges are round and smooth so no one gets hurt
• Avoid costumes that are baggy or made out of weak material
• Never send your kids out with a real weapon
• Check and see if your child's costume is flame resistant. Fabrics like polyester and nylon work best
• If a mask is involved, check to see if the eye holes are big enough so that they can see what's around them - Maybe you could consider Halloween Makeup as an alternative
• Children should not wear flimsy shoes, flip flops or high heels. Instead they should wear shoes that are sturdy and fit well
• Avoid small dangling parts and choking hazards on costumes, especially on small children
• Be sure nothing is too tight as to cut off circulation (rubber bands, ace bandages, etc.)
• Use only MAKEUP products on skin and hair. Paint, glue, markers, etc are not acceptable substitutes! All makeup sold in the USA must meet federal safety and purity standards.
• If you are doing elaborate makeup on young children, work in front of a mirror so they can see the transformation as it occurs and arent scared of the end result
• Test new products on a small area on the inside of the arm a few days before Halloween. Latex and adhesive allergies are something to be aware of

Halloween Tips for Adults

• If your child is old enough to go out with a group, always make sure that you know where your child will be and the route they will be taking
• Set a time for your kids to be home
• Let your child know that even though it is Halloween, safety rules still apply
• Make sure that your child knows all emergency numbers, such as 9-1-1 and their own telephone number
• Teach your child that not all tricks are suitable during trick-or-treating

Halloween Safety Tips for Your Own Home

• Remove all obstacles away from the paths of your yard, steps and stoops or any place that children might walk
• Try a pumpkin carving kit instead of regular knives for added protection
• Inspect all decorations for insecure connections, frayed wires or broken sockets
• Try putting battery operated candles in your windows and carved pumpkins to keep them from catching fire
• Know the amount of amps you are plugging in together so you can be sure as to not overload your breaker or extension cords