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.