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Halloween costume safety tips offered

Jennifer's Journal

October 26, 2011|By Jennifer Howard

Trick-or-treat time will be here in a matter of days. Prepare your goblins now for a safe night out with the right costume.

Start with flame resistance. When you buy a costume, mask, beard or wig, look for the label Flame Resistant. Although this label does not mean the items won’t catch on fire, it does indicate the item will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from the ignition source.

To lessen the risk of burns, children should avoid candles and other sources of ignition especially when wearing costumes made from flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.

Always make sure costumes are designed to be seen visibly by motorists at night. Decorate costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of car headlights. Bags or sacks should also be light in color and decorated with reflective tape.

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Other items about costumes to remember is to keep them short enough to prevent children from tripping and falling. They should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes. 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.

Use cosmetics rather than have your child wear a loose-fitting mask that might block vision. But if you do use a mask, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large enough to allow for full vision.

Congratulations to Betty Bonar for her submission of a name for our trail. The Garden Walk was selected as the name of the new walking trail located at the Clark County Extension Office. Thank you Betty!

Don’t forget the AARP Driving School on Thursday, Nov. 3, from 1 to 5 p.m. This November class is free for all veterans. Call the Extension Office at 744-4682 to register or more information.

Jennifer Howard is the Clark County Extension Service agent for family and consumer sciences.

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