Costumes should be short enough to prevent tripping and falling. Masks should fit securely and have eyeholes large enough for full vision. Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes. Mother's high heels are not a good idea for safe walking. To minimize the risk of contact with candles and other fire sources, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.
Children are safest in light-colored outfits clearly visible to motorists.
Costumes can be made even safer by adding reflective tape available in bike shops or hardware stores, according to Bill Oemichen, administrator of Trade and Consumer Protection. The best accessory is a flashlight. Young children should have adult supervision and all children should be reminded to stay on sidewalks and not run out from between parked cars. And children should be told not to eat any treats before coming home. Parents should carefully examine all treats for signs of tampering, and discard anything not sealed in its original packaging.