Ninjas do NOT wear Orange {A Cautionary Tale of Halloween Safety}

Letting Imaginations Go Wild, but Keeping Heads Screwed On

My boys love to dress up. We have drawers and drawers of costumes, accessories, hats, helmets, masks, disguises, belts, capes and more. Often you can find my kids and the other kids who live on our block running about in costume from April through Oct, before the winter gear takes precedence. We take our dressing up seriously. My kids get costumes at Christmas, birthdays and Halloween. We have tons of costume makings.

This year I put my foot down and told them they must come up with a costume from the drawers. I was willing to buy any necessary accessory, preferably something that could be gotten from the Dollar Store or doubled as a piece of clothing to be worn long after Halloween night.

My 7 year old son decided to be Snake Eyes, the black ninja from G.I. Joe. This was simple enough. I did need to buy him new long underwear for this winter anyway; we found all black. In case of a cold trick-or-treat outing {looks like it will be} we picked up a black hoodie on sale at Target and in case of a really cold night he has a pair of black cargo pants to put on. I, of course, had the perfect black scarf {for wrapping around his face} and winter stocking cap to complete his ensemble.

Do you see the problem with this costume?

We trick-or-treat in the dark here in Minnesota; the sun sets around 6 right now. My son's costume is all black. As a very cautious mama way too clued in to consumer safety and legal issues, this does not bode well with me. So, I told him he could wear his orange snow boots with his costume. He told me that Snake Eyes does not wear orange or any other color for that matter…only black.

I won that battle. He's wearing the boots and I'll be adding some glow-in-the-dark accessories too.

My 5 year old son had a melt down because he wasn't getting the new storm trooper costume with blaster gun he'd seen at Target. Then, we pulled out ALL the costume drawers and came up with various costumes; magician, fireman, Ninja turtle….and finally, a pirate. An awesome pirate costume that he is thrilled about wearing. Of course, we still have more than a week before Halloween. I expect he will change his mind 2 or 3 more times before the 31^st.

Here's what you have to remember when it comes to costume safety:

1. Make sure your child has reflective and/or bright colorful gear/accessories;
2. Be sure your child can see; a child might not see a car coming down the street or could miss a step up to a door or trip over the curb, etc. if he or she can't REALLY see through the mask/costume;
3. Be careful about flowing princess skirts and long Rapunzel braids and billowing Dracula capes and puffy pumpkins, etc. when it comes to jack-o-lanterns with candles inside on porches and sidewalks and yards. Often costumes are made of highly flammable fabrics and kids can crowd onto a porch, reaching for treats and can quickly catch on fire, if proper care is not taken;
4. Face paint and masks and tattoos can cause allergic reactions, so carefully check the labels for known allergens and/or questionable ingredients.

The Haunted House

This weekend we decorated our home and yard with Halloween-themed décor. I don't go all out for all holidays, but we somehow have a number of Halloween decorations, and my boys love Halloween. So, we spent an evening arranging our spooky and kooky artifacts, collected over the years.

We don't put much outside though, including our pumpkins, lest a squirrel vandalize our carved creations or a passerby lift our gravestones and skeletons. We have just a few items in the yard or near the house, but nothing at or near our front door where little ghosts and goblins will come calling on Halloween night. Here's why:

1. Jack-o-lanterns with candles can cause fires if costumes get too close; be cautious about where you place these golden orbs or use battery-operated candles;
2. Be sure your porch lights are on to light the way for the kids. Be sure all decorations and yard debris are cleared of the path to and from your door; these can trip up kids wearing masks on and big costumes;
3. Don't go overboard on bloody bodies and creepy zombies and freaky witches that move and talk and cause nightmares in little ones. Scaring the younger trick-or-treaters is not cool.

Unseen Risks Lurking in Candy {and I don't mean razor blades}

Two years ago, my kids collected pop from one home and a cool-aid punch pouch from another. I did not allow them to consume these items. I'm not a fan of artificial colors and flavors and sweeteners in my kids' diets. Yes, I know it's once a year and just about everything coming home in their plastic pumpkins goes into the junk category, but still a gal has to draw the line somewhere.

I have begun to read labels VERY closely this year after having to go gluten free due to health reasons. I have often discovered that gluten can be found lurking in candy, waiting to catch me unsuspecting. I have been tripped up by these sneaky treats more than once, I am sorry to say.

One of the effects of having to be very careful about the food I eat is that I have become more sensitive to all those who must be cautious about the food they consume or come in close contact with, including dairy and nuts. It's not easy to avoid these items that are prolific in our foods. You must never let your guard down when watching for certain food enemies. In the past, I regret to say that I never considered the food limitations of those who came knocking at my door looking for treats.

So, if you, like me, wish to think about trick-or-treaters who may have special dietary needs; here are a few tips:

1. Read labels – is it free of wheat/gluten, nuts and dairy? Was it produced in an area that items with gluten, dairy or nuts were produced? While that may not be safe enough for some with food allergens, it's a place to start;
2. Look for gummy fruits and/or suckers, etc. at Whole Foods that are free of the above-mentioned items and also free of artificial flavors, colors and sweeteners.
3. Go basic with snack size dark chocolate bars or suckers; always read the label for hidden ingredients, of course;
4. Have a variety of items that include candy/snacks that are free from gluten/nuts/dairy.

Of course, the parents of kids who must not consume certain ingredients will be vigilant and check the candy haul for violators that must be removed, but no child wants to see a large chunk of his or her treat stash be taken away and quarantined or even worse, consumed by his or her parents. So, think twice before buying all Snickers, Reece's and Kit Kats for your candy bowl.

Let Porch Lights Guide Your Path

Lastly, be cautious where you go to trick-or-treat. Of course, NEVER go to a home with no lights on. The inhabitants might just be out with their kids or at a friend's home, but it could mean a person living in that home is a sex offender and not allowed to open the door to children. If a situation doesn't feel right, go with your instinct. An event at a church or mall or the zoo, etc. might be the best and safest option for your family. You can find these events with a quick Google search.

If you choose to accept this Halloween mission, there are two goals for Halloween: have fun and be safe! Over and out….

Anna