During all the excitement of Halloween celebrations, dangers associated with costumes are rarely on the minds of the average person. They are, however, of serious concern. Despite the so-called safety testing conducted by costume makers and manufacturers, individuals are harmed by unsafe Halloween costumes every October. By being aware of the possible dangers and taking steps to protect yourself, you can enjoy a safe and pleasant holiday.
Many of you have seen the photos of the boy badly burned in 2004 on Halloween when his Ring Wraith character costume from the Lord of The Rings Trilogy went up in flames, badly burning the seven year old. Amazingly, this costume is still being sold! This is just one of many examples of children burned when their costumes have caught fire, but there are things you can do to safeguard your children.
First, consider the material used to make the costume. Those made from 100% nylon or polyester are best since they do not tend to catch fire. Even if they do, the flames are quickly extinguished. Besides the danger of the fire itself, melted polyester can drip onto and burn the skin. Be aware that some costumes have decorations or trimmings that are polyester or nylon while the costume itself is not. Anything apart from these pieces can potentially catch fire and burn, including any other article of clothing the child is wearing apart from the costume itself. Many costumes of superheroes contain ignitable foam padding. Costumes that are 100% acrylic come with the most potential danger since they are highly flammable.
Make sure to avoid lit candles in your own Halloween displays. You should also take care around people's houses that have chosen to use this unsafe practice. Halloween costumes are often long, flowing, and difficult for a youngster to control or keep track of, particularly when they're out having fun.
Besides the obvious risks associated with fire, Halloween costumes put their wearers in danger for other reasons. Costumes that are especially long and that include masks or other headwear could impede clear vision and make children more susceptible to tripping and falling, which is responsible for many injuries annually.
Using contact lenses of a specific design or color has become more popular in recent years as a part of many costumes. These contacts, sold anywhere from flea markets to gas stations, are popular with adults and can cause serious eye problems. They have been implicated in bacterial infections, corneal abrasions, and other injuries that can permanently affect vision.
These products aren't licensed or controlled in any meaningful way, and quality and cleanliness standards are often quite suspect. Our advice is: don't put anything into your eye that doesn't belong there!
While there certainly are some dangers associated with its celebration, Halloween can be an enjoyable day for everyone. Simply apply the above mentioned suggestions and stay safe during this holiday.
For some renters and homeowners, the stress of moving with a pet begins long before you start hitting up your 10 best friends to help lug boxes the size of a small child. If you're still looking for a pet-friendly pad, search the Web sites of humane organizations, such as The Humane Society, for links to pet-approved rentals. But let's assume you've gotten beyond all that and you have a month to get your best friend and kids ready for the big move.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to make their move easier at both ends and on the road. Take your time. Stretch out your packing time over several weeks. Avoid panic in the last days, leaving moving day as relaxed as possible for you, your family and your pets. Proper planning with movers really is the key to a well planned relocation.
Make sure you don't forget about your pets health records as well as your families when relocating. Ask your current vet for a referral for another reputable vet in your new hometown as well as arranging for a new family doctor for the rest of the family.
A few days before moving, choose a small room to be the "pet room." Tape a sign to the door that says "Pets: Do Not Open." Plastic bags and scoops for dogs Litter box for cats Cage covers for birds and rodents Paper towels for messes. Make the sign large enough that friends or movers can see it easily.
For some helpful tips for the road get tags and leashes. If you have a dog or an indoor/outdoor cat, buy or create identification tags with your new address and phone number. Be sure your pets are wearing them during travel. While you're at it, pick up a cat leash-you'll need it if you're taking a long road trip or an airplane as well as for the first few days that Fluffy goes outdoors in her new neighborhood.
Don't let pets outdoors without a leash until they've adapted to their new surroundings. It is suggested that you wait several days to a week for cats and maybe a bit less for dogs because dogs adapt more quickly to new surroundings.
Both Phil Sikes & L.buckley are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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