My first born was seven months old on his first Halloween; I was excited and ready to jump into this holiday that was new and strange for me. I was born and raised in Italy and we simply do not celebrate Halloween. So I jumped at the first chance I got to bundle up my infant with a pumpkin costume and take him door to door for candy. Of course the candy was all for me and dad but all that sugar did pass through my breast milk so baby got it too, not a good idea. But I was young and unaware then …
I learned a lot from that night. One thing I learned is that the appropriate costume can make this event safe, and enjoyable.
Not all costumes are created equal. There are specific things parents need to look for to keep their kids from getting hurt because of their Halloween costumes.
Costumes with dark colors, such as the black Scream mask with black clothing, keep children hidden. This makes it difficult for drivers to see children who step into the road, increasing the risk that a child will be hit by a car. It also prevents parents from seeing their children easily. A child in dark clothing could wander away from the group and be difficult to spot. Using lighter colors enables adults to observe children easily and prevent accidents.
Large costumes can be dangerous too if they keep a child from seeing his feet. Steps, curbs, and sidewalk debris become potential hazards if a child cannot see to walk over the obstacles. As cute as that pumpkin costume is, it may not be the safest choice.
Elastic wrists, ankles, necks, and waists need to be loose. If they are too tight, they will cut off circulation and cause pain.
Costumes must be checked for loose pieces or materials that will catch on bushes. For example, butterfly wings made of netting could easily catch on overhanging branches, and cause a child to become stuck or to lose her balance. To be safe, make sure that all costume parts are fastened securely to the outfit and will not become hooked onto shrubs.
