Art, obsession, and identity
Make sure that Halloween costumes are fire-resistant. For your information, the US Flammable Fabrics Act, which mandates flammability standards for textiles, costumes, and apparel, was passed in 1953. Check the label!
Inspect candies before you or your child eats them, especially oversized sweets or chocolates that may cause upper airway obstruction.
Children should never venture into unknown buildings or houses, no matter how appealing the premises.
Kids should make sure to cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and designated crosswalks.
Remember to tell your children to look left, right, and again when crossing, and to keep looking as they walk.
Motorists should take extra precautions on Halloween. Streets that are normally quiet, for example, may well be unusually busy with costumed youngsters.
Younger kids should join youngsters aged around 12 or under for trick-or-treating. Older children may well be out without supervision, and can stray into unfamiliar neighborhoods.
Choose Halloween costumes that are bright and reflective. While these colors might not represent the mood of the occasion, wearing a vivid outfit helps the wearer remain visible.
Opt for face paint rather than donning a mask. A mask can obstruct a child's vision.
An adult should always accompany kids while they go out trick-or-treating. A group with at least two adults is the ideal combination.
Candlelight perfectly enhances the eerie Halloween atmosphere. But beware: a naked flame is always a fire risk. Always supervise an illuminated pumpkin display, and have a fire extinguisher at hand.
When trick-or-treating at night, use a flashlight to see and to be seen.
Select a Halloween costume that is the correct size. An ill-fitting choice can cause trips and falls.
The same goes for wigs. Make sure headwear is made of fire-retardant material.
Another good reason for checking out candy is to make sure it has not been tampered with.
Insist on kids wearing a reflective jacket over their costume. It may ruin the aesthetic, but it's always better to be safe than sorry.
Remember to remove all makeup from face and hair before children go to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation, and to avoid the possibility of transferring paint and more to bedsheets.
Sources: (Consumer Product Safety Commission) (National Safety Council)
Parents, if your older children plan on trick-or-treating unsupervised in small groups, agree on a plan and a route acceptable to all.
The witching hour is late, so, moms and dads, agree on a specific time children should return home.
Similarly, teach your children never to accept an invitation to enter a stranger's house or car.
In fact, to be absolutely safe, tell your kids not to eat any treats until they return home.
Insisting that candy treats be enjoyed at home also facilitates being able to check for any potential food allergens, if necessary.
Adult and children alike should hang up their smart devices while out and about. Instead, keep heads up and be aware of what's going on around you.
Children should never trick or treat alone. They should stick with friends they know well and can trust.
And motorists, be extra vigilant on Halloween night when driving through built-up neighborhoods. Many kids trick-or-treating will be dressed in dark clothing, as is the ghoulish fashion.
New, inexperienced drivers should be discouraged from getting behind the wheel on Halloween night.
While it no doubt enlivens the spirit of the occasion, on no account should a child be offered alcohol on Halloween, or at any other time for that matter. Save the punch for adults.
Nontoxic makeup should always be used. And always test makeup in a small area first to see if any irritation or allergic reaction develops.
As Halloween nears, many of us will be choosing what grisly outfit to wear to celebrate the witching hour. Kids, meanwhile, will be getting ready for trick-or-treating, a traditional custom in some countries where youngsters dress up in costumes and travel from house to house to solicit candy. It's all harmless fun for the most part, but there are certain risks associated with not following safety guidelines while celebrating Halloween, measures that every parent and child should be aware of. Do you know what they are?
Click through and follow these tips for a safe Halloween.
Follow these tips for a safe Halloween
Are you familiar with the potential risks?
LIFESTYLE Kids
As Halloween nears, many of us will be choosing what grisly outfit to wear to celebrate the witching hour. Kids, meanwhile, will be getting ready for trick-or-treating, a traditional custom in some countries where youngsters dress up in costumes and travel from house to house to solicit candy. It's all harmless fun for the most part, but there are certain risks associated with not following safety guidelines while celebrating Halloween, measures that every parent and child should be aware of. Do you know what they are?
Click through and follow these tips for a safe Halloween.