Enjoy the spooky time of year without the dangers Halloween costumes can sometimes bring. As a parent, you can help keep Halloween fun and festive. We recommend you help your child pick a safe costume with a few tips in mind.
- Play it safe with costume materials and accessories
- Make sure your child can’t trip over a part of their costume.
- Loose-fitting costumes can be a fire hazard around things like jack-o-lanterns.
- If you are purchasing a costume, look for a “flame resistant” tag on the label.
- Make sure masks, wigs, hats, glasses and other accessories don’ts cover their eyes or block their vision.
- Instead of masks, consider child-safe face paint or makeup and test it on a small patch of skin a few days before.
- Their shoes should be weather appropriate and fit comfortably for walking.
You may consider skipping dangerous accessories that may cause injury to your child or others around them, such as swords, wands or weapons, and opting for foam props instead. Always check costumes and accessories for any choking hazards, such as loose buttons or strings by the neck.
- Make sure the costume is easy to see
- The darker the costume, the harder it will be for drivers or other pedestrians to see your child, especially while crossing the street.
- Incorporate brightly colored accessories to help keep them visible to others.
- Another great option is including glow-in-the-dark items on the costume and/or accessories. Maybe the costume attire includes a glow stick or reflective tape.
- Bring a flashlight as an additional safety measure.
- If your child is older heading out with friends, make sure they stay with the group.
- Try to get out before dusk to stay extra safe, if possible.
“Halloween is such a special time for children, families and communities,” says Dr. Amy Emmer-Sheldon, pediatric physician at Aurora Medical Center – Fond du Lac. “We want to make sure children and the costumes they wear are as safe as possible. We are hoping to keep families from needing to go to the pediatrics clinic, urgent care or the emergency department but if the need arises, emergency care is available at Aurora Fond du Lac.”
Aurora Fond du Lac is offering a free trunk or treat event for the community Tuesday, Oct. 22 with over 40 local businesses and Aurora departments participating. The event will include fun activities for children and families from 5-7 p.m. in the clinic parking lot located at 210 Wisconsin American Drive.
