Creepy decorations and spooky costumes are as much a part of Halloween fun as Trick-or-Treating, but they can present hidden dangers for kids. Dark suits are dangerous at street crossings; restrictive attire and ill-fitting masks make walking difficult; and lighted, heavy, or wavy decorations can be unsafe, especially after dark.
In fact, Halloween is, statistically speaking, a very dangerous holiday for children. According to SafeKids.org, children are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween and the night also marks an increase in injuries from burns and falls.
But there’s no need to wrap kids in daytime glow safety vests and avoid fun decorations to ensure a safe Halloween. Here are some safer and more kid-friendly decorating and wardrobe tips to help keep your scary night from turning into a real scare.
1. make it easy and fun to be seen
What kid doesn’t think glow in the dark is cool? Parents can take advantage of this to adorn costumes, especially darker ones, with reflective tape. Available at most hardware and auto parts stores, reflective tape comes in multiple colors and is even available in sheets, perfect for cutting out shapes and complementing costume themes. Add some reflective strips on cuffs, hems, or hats to make kids more visible to motorists and much safer on their Halloween route. Can’t find reflective tape? Add some light up necklaces to costumes and attach some to the wrists and ankles to make the kids stand out when crossing the street.
2. Unmask Halloween with face paints
Opt for vision-friendly face paint or theater makeup over full face masks. It’s easy to sell for girls, but boys can generally be won over by some elaborate cuts or scars made with eyeliner as well. Used alone or in combination with a partial mask, face paints are much safer than face masks that can restrict vision, breathing, and speech. If princesses or zombies insist on wearing a full mask, check to make sure it has the proper eye openings and is breathable and tight fitting.
3. Disguise for comfort and safety
Dress children in temperature-appropriate costumes that allow free range of vision and movement. Try to avoid costumes with capes, trains, or sleeves that drag the ground to help prevent accidental falls and burns. Remember that packaged costumes for kids are often made from flame retardant materials, but homemade costumes are generally not. Caution children to stay away from any lighted decorations in their path to avoid brushing against an open flame.
4. Decorate with the smallest ghouls in mind
Make Halloween yard and driveway decorations safe and attractive to everyone. Secure electrical cords and cords out of reach and keep hallways clear and accessible. If you’re creating a particularly spooky haunted patio, consider including a less scary approach for trick-or-treating youngsters, unless of course you want leftover candy.
5. Create ghostly glows for kids
From multi-colored LED lights to realistic wax candles, battery-powered lighting makes it easy to create ghostly Halloween glows without an open flame. Battery-operated tea lights work well to light up little Halloween accents, and battery-operated wax candles and tapers add a realistic flicker to any spooky setting. Use them to safely light up Jack o’Lanterns too, or try some glow sticks or color-changing lights for an eerie glow.