Halloween Arrives October 31: CPSC Safety Checklist Covers Flame-Resistant Costumes, Reflective Tape, Treats, and Jack-o'-Lantern Flames
Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31, and children will head out in costume to trick-or-treat. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has long published official safety guidance that concentrates the risks in three places: costumes, treats, and decorations. A few minutes of checking before heading out can prevent the burns, trips, and blocked-vision injuries most common each Halloween.
Start with flame resistance. When buying costumes, masks, beards, and wigs, look for the "Flame Resistant" label, or choose fabrics such as nylon or polyester. Flame resistant does not mean an item will not catch fire; it means the material will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from the ignition source. Avoid flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts, to minimize the risk of contact with candles and jack-o'-lanterns.
Visibility and fit matter just as much. Costumes should be light, bright, and clearly visible to motorists, decorated or trimmed with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car's headlights; treat bags should be light colored and trimmed with reflective tape as well. Reflective tape is available at hardware, bicycle, and sporting goods stores. Children should carry flashlights to see and be seen. Costumes should be well fitted and not drag on the ground, and children should wear sturdy, well-fitting shoes — oversized high heels are not a good idea. Tie hats and scarves securely so they cannot slip over children's eyes. For masks, a natural mask of cosmetics is preferable to a loose-fitting mask that might restrict breathing or obscure vision; if a mask is used, make sure the eye holes are large enough to allow full vision and that it fits securely.
Treats get checked before they get eaten. CPSC particularly emphasizes careful examination of all treats before children are allowed to eat them: children should not eat any treats before they get home, and adults should inspect everything for evidence of tampering and discard anything suspicious.
Finish with props and decorations. Swords, knives, and similar accessories should be made of soft, flexible material. Keep candles and jack-o'-lanterns away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame, and indoors keep them away from curtains, decorations, and other items that could ignite; never leave burning candles unattended. Use only decorative light strands tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory, check each set — new or old — for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, discard damaged sets, and do not overload extension cords.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：一组刻好的南瓜灯（资料图）。Carly Lesser 与 Art Drauglis 摄，CC BY-SA 2.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / A group of carved jack-o'-lanterns (file photo). Photo by Carly Lesser and Art Drauglis, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
