A Howling Halloween

By Elisa All

I don't know about you, but it took me the entire month of September to get into the new school-year groove. And now that it's officially fall and we're settled in to a crazy but comfortable routine of soccer and football practices and games, chess and volleyball events and piano lessons, all the kids can talk about is Halloween. And it's no wonder – by the end of September, orange and black lights lit up the neighborhood and pumpkins peered from store windows.

It seems like the costumes are growing up along with the kids. No longer is it about cute – gone are Cinderella, Buzz Lightyear and cute puppy costumes. It's all about spooky. Volunteering in a second-grade classroom last week, I heard kids trying to out-do each other on whose costume would be scariest (vampires, corpse brides and mummies all made the list).

We attended a football game recently and bought our twins cheerleader outfits to wear, and, as an added bonus, they decided to wear them as Halloween costumes. However, I was just informed that one will be a "mummy cheerleader" and the other a "witch cheerleader." Their brother will add to the fright fest by dressing as a "zombie football player."

Sure, it's all in fun, but Halloween can be a challenge if you don't set guidelines for your kids. Here's how to enjoy a healthier Halloween with your children.

Safe Trick-or-Treating

As you head out to trick-or-treat make sure to use the sidewalk, not the street. Kids should be accompanied by an adult, plan their route ahead of time and share it with their families, says the American Red Cross. Remind kids to cross at street corners and only accept treats at the door (never go into a stranger's house). Kids should trick-or-treat in well-known neighborhoods on well-lit streets at homes that have a porch light on. Children shouldn't ride bikes, in-line skate or skateboard as they trick-or-treat. Teach kids their home phone numbers and how to call 9-1-1 (free from any phone) if they have an emergency or get lost.

Careful Costumes

Create a costume that is safe, bright and reflective. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says it is a good idea to add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for visibility. Kids' shoes should fit well and costumes should be short enough to prevent tripping or contact with flame. Kids should wear non-toxic makeup and hats rather than masks, which can obstruct eyesight. If you're using a makeup product you've never used before, try it out on your arm for a couple of days to check for an allergic reaction before putting it on your face, says the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Remove all makeup before going to bed since wearing makeup can irritate the skin. While colorful contact lenses may be popular among older kids, the FDA says they should not be used without a professional recommendation as they can cause injuries.