Goodies. Goblins. Things that go bump in the night! Introducing your toddler to Halloween can be the start of a great tradition. But nothing can turn fun into fright faster than an accident. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you're dressing up your little one and taking him out on the town.
Look for flame-resistant labels when buying costumes, masks, beards, and wigs. According to Yolanda Fultz-Morris of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, such products not only resist burning but also burn out quickly if they do catch on fire.
To avoid any contact with fire, don't dress your little goblin in any costume with billowing material such as baggy sleeves or flowing skirts. In 1997 a girl in Texas died of severe burns when her costume made of burlap strips caught fire from a lighted jack o' lantern. Of course, even if you've dressed your child in the safest costume, make sure he stays clear of pumpkins that contain lighted candles. These are sometimes a magnet for curious children, who may try to touch, pick up, or peek inside them.
Tots tend to trip and fall under the best of conditions, so you'll have to take extra precautions on Halloween night. When choosing or creating a costume, make sure it's short enough to let her navigate easily. If you're borrowing a costume, sew or tape up a quick hem at the bottom or hike it up with a secure belt, if necessary. For the same reason, be on shoelace alert — tie and double tie them. Pumpkins on neighbors' steps and porches can also pose a tripping hazard.
Even if you plan to keep your little one in hand on Halloween night, reflector tape is not a bad idea if you'll be out after dark. Decorating or trimming her costume with strips of tape could prevent an accident if she should happen to slip away, even for just a few seconds. You can buy reflector tape in most hardware, bicycle, and sporting goods stores. A flashlight may also come in handy for negotiating long walkways or dimly lit doorways.
If your schedule permits, you may want to start hitting the neighbors' homes while it's still light outside. Some communities have designated hours for trick-or-treating, which may include early hours for the youngest ones.
Replace plastic swords and sharp-pointed princess crowns with softer versions. Try sewing a stuffed sword for your little gladiator, or make a paper or plastic foam crown for your toddling princess. You can make police badges out of felt to replace the sharper plastic store-bought versions. Make a magic wand by attaching streaming, curling ribbon or glitter-decorated tulle instead of pointed plastic stars.
Instead of a mask, which can make it hard for a child both to see and breathe, paint your child's face with nontoxic makeup. Vicki Lansky, author of Baby Proofing Basics: How to Keep Your Child Safe, says you might want to consider making your own greasepaint at home. It's safe and inexpensive.
To make greasepaint, she suggests mixing 2 teaspoons of white shortening with 5 teaspoons of cornstarch and 1 teaspoon of flour. Add a little water or glycerin to thin the mixture and add food coloring. It shouldn't run but, like any commercial makeup, this homemade brew will smear if your little one rubs her face. If you suspect your child might have trouble keeping her hands off her face, apply the paint sparingly.
Plan on handing out treats that are relatively baby- and toddler-safe, such as candy bars, rather than hard candy, lollipops, toys, coins, and other small items that could end up in a child's mouth.
Keep your little one's fingers away from the door. Visiting children may shut the door from outside when exiting and catch her fingers. Put her in charge of waving to the exiting children from the front window, or have her dress her own doll or stuffed animal up for the holiday and remind her to keep it company while you hand out the candy.
Whether in your own home or a neighbor's, be on the lookout for holiday decorations that can pose hazards. Your child will want to explore cackling witches, lighted coffins — anything new and unusual. Try to keep decorations with small, loose parts out of her reach. Also, if you have a teething baby, be mindful of any soft plastic items that might be tempting to chew on.
Be especially wary of oil lamps. In 1991 one brand of Halloween-themed lamps was recalled after several toddlers ingested the oil. Many became sick, and one died.
The CPSC recommends that parents scrutinize treats for evidence of tampering before letting children eat them. Carefully examine each wrapper to make sure there's no sign of its having been opened. Accept homemade treats only from neighbors you know, and cut up fruit before serving it. Keep in mind, too, that many treats are not appropriate for babies or toddlers. Hard candies, nuts, popcorn, lollipops, raisins, and anything you can't cut into small pieces are all choking hazards.
With very young children you can easily control the amount and kind of candy they eat by visiting just a few houses, then making most of their small haul "disappear" overnight. Often they will enjoy answering the door and handing out candy as much as trick-or-treating itself.
Another idea is to combine everyone's goodies at the end of the night in a community collection. This works well if you have a mix of older and younger children because the booty gets distributed more evenly. Keep the collection bowl somewhere up high, such as on top of the refrigerator. That way you can keep an eye on the candy and give out a couple of pieces at appropriate moments.