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Monday, 29 October, 2007 4:53 PM
Average Halloween Tab is $30
for Costume Creation
Angie’s
List looks at Halloween plans; offers 11 safety tips for holiday
As retailer shelves
grow heavy with scary stuff in anticipation of the spookiest day
of the year and parents pull out the sewing kits to make costumes
for the kiddies, Angie’s List offers safety tips to ensure
a haunting good time for all.
“Halloween can be great fun, no matter what your age,”
said Angie Hicks , founder of Angie’s List. “It’s
a favorite among kids and it brings out the kid in many adults.
In fact, a nationwide Angie’s List poll found respondents
will spend on average $30 for costume creation.”
While 45 percent of Angie’s List poll respondents said they
plan to buy their kids’ costumes at a store, 18 percent said
they will make the costumes from scratch. Among adults, 28 percent
said they plan to dress up for either a Halloween party or to take
their kids trick or treating. Of those, 31 percent said they’d
make their costume from scratch, while only 4 percent said they
plan to rent their costume.
While renting may have some advantages – it’s typically
quicker and in many cases cheaper than buying – many feel
renting doesn’t allow the opportunity to create a unique costume.
“That may or may not be the case, depending on what type of
costume you have in mind, so it may be worth the call to a local
costume shop to find out what they have to offer,” Hicks adds.
No matter how you’re creating your costume, Hicks emphasizes
that safety should be the main priority, especially for kids. With
this in mind, Angie’s List offers the following tips to keep
your little ghosts and goblins safe this Halloween:
Angie’s 11 safety tips for Halloween costumes:
- Only fire-retardant
materials should be used for costumes. Avoid loose hanging parts
such as sashes, shredded parts or overly long sleeves, which can
easily catch fire from a jack-o-lantern or candle or get caught
on something.
- Check the costumes
warning label. If it contains lead, choose another costume. Lead
poisoning can cause irreversible brain damage to young children.
- Costumes should be
loose, so warm clothes can be worn underneath without restricting
arm or leg movement.
- Costumes that are
too long and oversized shoes are tripping hazards. Avoid both.
- Test any new makeup
products in a small area of the inside of the arm to prevent reactions
from latex or other adhesive allergies.
- Consider hair-coloring
products as an alternative to wigs. Check the product for information
on washing and any concerns for dyed or chemically treated hair.
- Outfits should be
made with light-colored materials. Strips of reflective tape should
be used to make children more visible.
- Attach your child’s
name, address and telephone number (including their area code)
to his or her clothes in case your child gets lost or separated
from you.
- If masks are worn,
be sure holes for the eyes, nose and mouth are large enough for
comfort and not restrictive.
- Knives, swords and
other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials.
Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.
- Bags or sacks carried
by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective
tape if trick-or-treaters are allowed out after dark.
Angie’s Halloween tips for homeowners:
- Clear the yard. Look
out for things such as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower
pots that can trip trick-or-treaters. Also check for low tree
limbs, support wires and hard-to-see fences between yards.
- Be careful with candles.
Opt for a plug-in or battery-powered jack-o-lantern instead of
using a live candle. If you insist on a live flame, be sure it
is away from any possible exposure to trick-or-treaters' costumes,
or where they will be walking or standing.
- Secure your pets.
Be sure your pets are put away or arrange for them to stay somewhere
else. Some pets become frightened; others may become territorial
or even aggressive towards trick-or-treaters.
- Light the path. Check
that the path and stairs to your front door are well illuminated
and clear of obstacles. While it’s tempting to create a
dark and spooky home theme, poor lighting can be a major safety
hazard.
- And, speaking of treats
– Consider some healthier options like low-fat crackers,
single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls or raisins;
or non-food treats such as (unsharpened) pencils, stickers or
coins.
Angie's
List Poll Results |
30% |
Said
they will buy the different elements of their child's costume
and assemble it themselves |
|
85% |
Will
spend up to $50 on their child's costume |
4% |
Of
adults dressing up will borrow a costume from family/friend |
|
28% |
Will
spend more than 2 hours on their costume |
*2,195 Angie’s
List members took our poll. Responses are representative of Angie’s
List members, but not the general public.
Source: Angie's List
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