As you are getting your little (or big) ghosts and goblins ready for trick or treating, parties, and more, looking good shouldn’t be the only goal. A costume also needs to be safe. Use these simple tips from nationally recognized product safety organization Underwriters Laboratories (UL) as a guide.
- Use flame-resistant fabric when making costumes. Although treated fabric does not mean it won’t catch fire, it does indicate the fabric will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from the ignition source.
- Make costumes short enough to prevent tripping and falling. Avoid making costumes made with flimsy materials and big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts, which could increase the risk of tripping and is more likely to come in contact with candles or other ignition sources.
- Make costumes from light-colored material. Light and bright fabrics will be clearly visible to motorists. If you do wear dark materials, decorate costumes with reflective tape or carry a flashlight for better visibility.
- Use makeup instead of a mask. Masks can obstruct vision and children may find it hard to breathe when wearing them. If a mask is used make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large enough to allow full vision.
