Halloween Costume Safety Tips

With Halloween just over one week away, many ghouls and goblins are heading to the store to pick up their claws, capes and creepy wigs. Family nurse practitioner Lyndsey Robinson, who works with in an office on Alma Real Drive, is offering some safety tips for parents picking out those spooky costumes.

• Costumes should be bright with reflective devices so children are easily visible to cars. Reflective tape can be added to treat bags and costumes.
• Make sure shoes fit well and that the costume is short enough to prevent your child from tripping and falling.
• Make sure costumes are short enough and flame resistant to prevent contact with open flames while trick-or-treating. Also make sure that all costumes and accessories, such as wigs, are flame resistant.
• Make sure masks have good ventilation and that your child is able to see properly while wearing it. Instead of a mask, try using nontoxic make-up or properly fitting hats so your child’s vision isn’t impaired.
• Make sure that there are no sharp parts to the costume or accessories that may cause injury if your child falls on it.
• Avoid using any decorative contact lenses unless they are prescribed by an eye specialist. Over-the-counter contact lenses may cause permanent eye damage.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology in San Francisco, people with perfect vision should still get an eye exam and have an eye care professional dispense cosmetic lenses.

• For more information about Halloween safety, click here.
• For Dr. Stacy Waneka's website, click here.
• For information from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, click here.

Have you participated in our poll about Halloween candy?

Be sure to follow Pali Patch on Twitter and "Like" us on Facebook.