Safe Costumes Mean a Safe and Happy Halloween for Kids and Adults

Parents throughout Washington know that Halloween trick-or-treating can pose certain dangers, including an increased risk of pedestrian accidents. However, many Halloween injuries are caused not by cars or other people, but by costumes that put children at unnecessary risk.

Here are a few tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on how to check your child’s costume for safety, ensuring that he or she has a safe and happy holiday.

• Visibility. Reflective tape on costumes can make kids easier to see, and equipping them with flashlights can help them see obstacles in their own path. Also, consider using make-up instead of masks so that kids don’t have their view obstructed.
• Trip hazards. Broken sidewalks, scattered decorations, and debris aren’t the only trip hazards during Halloween. Costumes with too-long hemlines or ill-fitting shoes can also cause a child to trip and fall. Have kids try on costumes and shoes before Halloween to make sure they fit properly.
• Flame resistance. Candles and bonfires are popular items at Halloween parties, but open flames can put kids at risk of catching fire, especially if costumes have long hems, sleeves, or flowing parts. Choose flame-resistant materials to reduce this risk, and consider swapping open flames for electric lights that don’t pose the same fire risk.

Costumes aren’t the only cause of Halloween accidents. If you or someone you love is injured during this year’s festivities, a dedicated Seattle personal injury lawyer at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. can help. Call us today at (888) 228-3860 for a free telephone consultation.