Costume Designs:
- Purchase or make costumes that are light and bright enough to be clearly visible to
motorists.
- For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim costumes with
reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car's headlights.
- Bags or sacks should also be light colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective
tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle, and sporting goods stores.
- To easily see and be seen, children should also carry flashlights.
- Costumes should be short enough to prevent children from tripping and falling.
- Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes . Mother' s high heels are not a good
idea for safe walking.
- Hats and
scarves should be tied securely to prevent them from slipping over children's
eyes.
- Apply a natural mask of cosmetics rather than have a child wear a loose-fitting mask
that might restrict breathing or obscure vision. If a mask is used, however, make sure it
fits securely and has eyeholes large enough to allow full vision.
- Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be of soft and flexible material.
Treats:
Warn children not to eat any treats before an adult has carefully examined them for
evidence of tampering.
Pedestrian Safety: Young children should
always be accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible child. All children should
WALK, not run from house to house and use the sidewalk if available, rather than walk in
the street. Children should be cautioned against running out from between parked cars, or
across lawns and yards where ornaments, furniture, or clotheslines present dangers.
Choosing Safe Houses: Children should go
only to homes where the residents are known and have outside lights on as a sign of
welcome. Children should not enter homes or apartments unless they are accompanied
by an adult.
People expecting trick-or-treaters should remove
anything that could be an obstacle from lawns, steps and porches. Candlelit
jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could
brush against the flame. Indoor jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from curtains,
decorations, and other furnishings that could be ignited.
Flame Resistant Costumes:
When purchasing a costume, masks, beards, and wigs, look for the label Flame Resistant.
Although this label does not mean these items won't catch fire, it does indicate the items
will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from the ignition source.
To minimize the risk of contact with candles or other sources of ignition, avoid costumes
made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.
Consumer Product Safety Commission
CPSC Document #100
Consumers can obtain this publication and
additional publication information from the Publications section of CPSC's web site or by sending your publication request to publications@cpsc.gov.
It may be reproduced without change in
part or whole by an individual or organization without permission. If it is reproduced,
however, the Commission would appreciate knowing how it is used. Write the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission, Office of Information and Public Affairs, Washington, D.C.
20207 or send an e-mail to info@cpsc.gov.
