Family | A spooky and safe Halloween

Halloween costumes may now be more sophisticated and scary, but parents still need to pick the right items for their child to remain safe.

Every child wants to frighten their friends and family with their costumes at Halloween. Unfortunately, as we see every year, many children endure serious injuries at this time. Some of these incidents are attributed to the clothing that children wear, as was the case with the daughter of TV presenter Claudia Winkleman. The eight year old was seriously injured when her Halloween costume caught fire.

While you want your child to have a super costume, you need to keep in mind some basic safety tips when buying or making an outfit.

• Select flame-resistant materials. Check the label to ensure it is safe as your child will be in close proximity to candles, lanterns, and other decorative flames.
• Get a good fit. A costume that is too big or long can cause the child to trip, and possibly fall into some flammable or dangerous products.
• No capes. Such styles can pose the risk of strangulation in children, while it could also get caught on something that may lead to tripping.
• Use masks sensibly. While they look good, masks can obstruct a child’s vision and especially when walking along the road at night. Ensure that they breathe comfortably in it.
• Stay visible. Black is the most obvious colour to use at Halloween but to ensure their safety, you could add some reflective materials onto their costume.
• Safe Accessories. The addition of a sword or knive may add to the overall look, but they should not have sharp edges or points. Ensure that they are soft and flexible.
• Paint it safe. Read the labels carefully and choose paint that is specifically for skin use.