Halloween Safety

Tips

Ghost, ghouls and monsters aren't the only things to be afraid of on Halloween. Accidents and mishaps increase dramatically when children trick-or-treat.

To avoid the many dangers children face while trick or treating, use common sense. Be aware of potential Halloween hazards and take precautions to eliminate them. Consider heading for an indoor Halloween party and bypass any chaos or danger.

Halloween Costume Safety

* Wear flame retardant costumes.
* Make sure your Halloween costume is colorfast so the color doesn't run onto your other clothes if it rains.
* Try on costumes before Halloween to allow time for altering.
* Hem your costumes so you don't trip and fall.
* Apply reflective tape to your Halloween costumes.
* Avoid cumbersome masks. Use make-up instead.
* Use only hypoallergenic and non-toxic makeup.
* Wear comfortable, practical shoes.
* Double tie your shoelaces so you don't trip.
* Keep your costume and wig away from candles.
* Don't carry fake swords, guns, knives or similar accessories that look authentic. Make sure they're flexible and cannot harm anyone.

Trick-or-Treating Tips

* Plan your route ahead of time.
* Trick or treat in familiar neighborhoods.
* Carry a flashlight with fresh batteries after dark.
* Take along money for a phone call.
* Wear identification that's easy to read.
* Always trick or treat in groups, accompanied by an adult.
* Follow a curfew and take a watch with a backlight.
* Stay on the sidewalks and out of the streets. Cross only at intersections and designated crosswalks.
* Walk. No running.
* Don't trample through flower beds and gardens.
* Watch out for open flames in jack-o-Lanterns.
* Walk with your head up and be aware of your surroundings.
* Only visit well lit houses. Don't stop at dark houses.
* Don't enter any houses unless you know the people.
* Carry a spare Halloween bag, in case yours breaks or you fill your original one.
* Don't approach unfamiliar pets and animals.
* Don't cut across yards and stay out of backyards.
* Follow traffic signals and don't jaywalk.
* Always watch for cars backing up or turning.
* Review the "stop, drop and roll" procedure in case your costume catches on fire.
* Never accept rides from strangers.
* Respect other people and their property.
* Be polite and say "thank you."
* Don't eat any candy until it's inspected for tampering under bright lights.
* Avoid candy that has loose wrappings, is unwrapped, has puncture holes, or is homemade.
* Small children should not be allowed hard candy they may choke on.
* Report any suspicious or criminal activity to an adult or the police.
* Consider having a party instead of Trick or Treating.

Halloween Party Planning Ideas

Are you trying to organize the best Halloween party that will be talked about for weeks after your special event? Don't fret... Here you'll find fresh tips from party planning to Halloween ideas that will guarantee your guests have fun.

Depending on how much money you want to spend on supplies and how much effort you're willing to put into it, the more of these ideas used -- the scarier your party will be.

Mix and match tips to fit your preference and check your haunted house or party setting over for any hazards your guests may run into. For a safe Halloween party, plan ahead and remove any possible dangers.

Party Tips

Halloween parties make a great alternative to trick-or treating. For an incredible, well-put together Halloween party, it's best to make arrangements well in advance. Here's some party planning tips for a terrifying good time.

Send out Invitations

Get your party invitations out 1-2 weeks before the party. To avoid any confusion, clearly state instructions about themes, costumes, and when the party ends.

Have Adult Supervision

For children, adult supervision is necessary for safety reasons as well as preventing any property damage. Adults can help with the party and enforce rules, while the guests have fun.

Have a Camera Ready

Take pictures and arrange them in a photo album to show your guests after the party. Better yet, Buy a huge photo album and add pictures every year, after your annual Halloween Party. It's hilarious to watch how the costumes evolve over the years.

Another idea is to have someone take Polaroid pictures of each guest as they arrive. Give everyone their pic as they leave your party in remembrance of the occasion.

Have a Backup Plan

If you're planning your party outdoors, be prepared for inclement weather. Have other arrangements ready at a moments notice.

Get Help in Decorating

Allow some guests to arrive early and help with the Halloween decorations. This will ease your workload and add some creative minds.

Supply Food and Candy

And plenty of it. What's a party without goodies? Try dressing up your food to look like gross things such as eyeballs, body parts, etc. Make the punch look like blood.

Hand out Party Favors

Don't let the kids leave empty handed. Hand out gifts to game contest winners and make up some party favor bags with Halloween candy.

Halloween Party Decorating Tips

 Halloween Party Decorating Ideas

There's no lack of resources in October for Halloween party decorations, props and accessories! Look around the discount and novelty stores for all kinds of traditional spooky items for your party that will scare your guests silly.

Keep your eye peeled at Haunted Houses and around your city for new ideas. Someone always has a unique Halloween display that catches your eye and you can use those ideas for your own indoor or outdoor party. From traditional to new-age, here's some inexpensive decorating tips and ideas to set the creepiest mood possible:


Jack-O-Lanterns

What's Halloween without a jack-o-lantern? Find some stencils to carve or paint scary faces on your pumpkins to add the traditional touch to your party.

Candles

Use candles inside your carved jack-o-lanterns to make the faces glow. Put some dark colored candles in creepy candleholders around your snack table for a gothic touch. Use caution with open flames and make sure no costumes will come near them.

Crepe Paper

Use traditional crepe paper decoration to add Halloween colors to your party table and anywhere else you see fit.

Spider Webs

Buying fake spider webs is one of the most cost-effective decorations. They're cheap and can be found at your local discount store. You can make your own with cotton batting found in the crafts department. Then, you're going to need spiders. Pick up some creepy, fake spiders to add to the webs. Better yet, add some fake bugs too for your spider's victims.

Fake Blood

What's creepier than blood? You can find fake blood in the stores or make your own blood cheap! Using fake blood is better left for outdoor parties if you're concerned about any messes or staining. If you use it indoors, make sure it's contained. Click here for some realistic fake blood recipes.

Shadows

Cut out spooky shapes such as a bat, ghost or cat in some heavy construction paper. Tape it to a flashlight and place it in a strategic position to make your guests look twice.

Sound Effects

There's plenty of tapes and CDs available with creepy sounds such as lightning, screams, banging and creaking. Use these outside or in an entryway for the element of surprise.

Lighting Effects

Use special lighting to compliment your sounds. Dim lighting is always preferable to set the spooky setting and a strobe light adds a special touch to simulate lightening. A black light sets an unsettling atmosphere and can be found in most party supply stores.

Coffins

Use your imagination! You can build your own coffin with 6-8 wood pieces and place a dummy in it. Or consider having it closed and place one of those fake arms coming out of it. Add some fake blood to the side for a downright gross affect.

Scarecrows

Perfect for the Autumn season, scarecrows are fascinating to look at and add mystery to your yard. Set the atmosphere for your scarecrow by adding bales of hay, cornstalks, and Indian corn -- and he'll definitely get attention. Use our scarecrow instructions for easy homemade scarecrows.

Tombstones

Perhaps one of the creepiest things is a tombstone with the inscription R.I.P. which is reminiscent of old-time graveyards believed to be haunted according to old myths and urban legends. You can find tombstones in the holiday section of most stores around Halloween, or make your own and add some originality!

Fog Machine

There's nothing like fog around to send chills up your spine. Fog machines are easier to find these days around Halloween and aren't near as expensive as they used to be. Most fog machines are water based and are simple to use.

Paint it Black

Go gothic with a black party scheme. Choose all black decorations and tableware. Buy some flat black spray paint for items such as vases, napkin holders, pumpkins -- anything you can think of. Don't want black? Try purple, orange, or midnight blue.

Ravens

Create chills with ghastly grim, black ravens, sparrows, or crows placed on shelves, tables, and unexpected places like on the serving table or in the bathroom. Your guests will get goosebumps at the ominous implications of seeing these mysterious birds indoors.

Backdrop

If you've got some background to hide, you can make a backdrop with the largest black trash bags that you can find. Cut at the seams and attach together with black duct tape. After they're hung, spread fake spider webs in the front and then add the plastic bugs and spiders.