Keeping Your Children Safe From Fire, Cars and Falls This Halloween

Replace the candles in your Jack-O'Lantern with a battery operated candle to prevent costume fires. They keep your pumpkin looking great but keeps your child safe.

If your child is wearing a dark costume put reflective stickers, glow stick bracelets and necklaces on them and place glow stick or flshlight in their trick or treat bag. More children are hit by cars on Halloween then any other time of the year.

Consider wearing decorative make-up on your children instead of the mask that came with that store bought costume. Having just tripped over an uneven sidewalk, I can tell you that it can very damaging to your face and hands. In addition, cut the bottom off their costumes so that they are not dragging on the ground to prevent those nasty falls.

Happy Halloween! If you are taking your children out or if you are the one left behind to hand out candy consider dressing up. Your children will love it and you might just have a great time. Last year I went as Jessie from Toy Story and several children stopped my husband who went as Woody and I to give us a hug or to tell us how much they liked us. Bonus: Many houses gave us candy too. I am thinking of going as Smurfette this year, a character blasted right out of my childhood.

Have You Ever Considered Making Your Child's Halloween Costume with Them?

Some of my funniest and most memorable moments of my children's childhood came when working with them to create a costume. Whether it was a halloween costume, a costume for a school play or a costume for a themed ride or party didn't matter. What made (and still makes) those times so memorable is that we were creating something together.

If you are thinking that you can't sew I have a secret to let you in on, I don't sew either. That's where the creativity comes into play. We have put together outfits using what we have in our own closets, as well as treasured finds from thrift stores. Some costumes that we have made over the years are: Minnie Mouse, the Little Mermaid, Bikers, Pirates, Elvis, Reindeer, superheroes. These "homemade" costumes have received many compliments over the years. I haven't really heard too many people compliment the store bought variety and don't get me started on the safety of those plastic masks. Probably the costume that comes to mind as one of my all time favorites is the lunch lady costume that we put together for a Crohn's and Colitis biking event that my son was crewing. Shameless plug here for "Get Your Guts in Gear", a great bike ride and community for those who have a connection to Crohn's or Colitis and even for those who don't. Riders and crew alike still remember "Madge" eventhough it has been more than five years since she made an appearance. It still makes me laugh thinking about the faces on the people in the thrift store as my son let me know how the dress he was trying on fit.

Consider spending some time over the next two weeks before halloween, creating a one of a kind costume and a "priceless" memory with your child.