The recent accidental shooting of an 8-year-old girl who was dressed up in a dark-colored Halloween
costume is a stark reminder of the dangers that even the most basic Halloween
costumes can sometimes present. The Pennsylvania girl, who was wearing an
all-black body costume and a black hat with a white feather tassel, was shot
when a relative mistook her for a skunk that had been roaming nearby. She is
currently in critical condition in a Pittsburgh-area hospital.
While this incident is certainly not the norm, it is a reminder that
nearly any type of Halloween costume has the potential to be hazardous. Here
are some safety tips to keep in mind for your child's Halloween costume this
year.
* Fire safety is especially important on Halloween, so always opt for
flame-resistant costume fabrics such as nylon or polyester, as well as
fire-retardant wigs and accessories. According to Good Housekeeping, costumes
with spray-on glitter can be extremely flammable due to the glue that is often
used to hold the sparkles. The magazine suggests using sewed-on sequins to add
some sparkle to a child's costume.
* To fireproof a homemade costume, many fire departments suggest soaking
the costume in a mix of nine ounces of borax, four ounces of boric acid, and
one gallon of warm water and letting it drip dry. (Do not place in a clothes
dryer.) This trick will offer fire protection for up to six months or until the
garment is laundered.
* The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends using
hypoallergenic, non-toxic face paint instead of a mask, which can obscure a
child's vision and sometimes hinder breathing. If a mask is used, make sure the
eye holes are large enough to allow complete front and peripheral vision, even
if it means cutting them open further yourself.
* Avoid oversized or ill-fitting costumes and make sure shoes fit well,
to avoid tripping.
* Light-colored costumes are safer than dark colored costumes. With
full-body morph suits a popular choice for this Halloween, opt for bright
colors over black.
* Check for recalls on previously purchased costumes. Nearly 1,400 girls
China-made pirate costumes were pulled this season because the buttons
contained 11 times the legal lead limit, according to the New York Daily News.
And last season, Target issued a recall on more than 3,000 frog masks that
lacked proper ventilation, posing a suffocation hazard.
* Reflective tape and glow sticks are a great way to make your child
more visible in the dark. And a flashlight is the best accessory for any
Halloween costume.
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