Posts Tagged ‘Halloween’

Top 10 Halloween Safety Tips for Parents

Article by Nancy Stonecutter

There are accidents and incidents every Halloween that can spoil the holiday. Pedestrian accidents, tampered products causing illness or lacerations, falls, fires, etc. Here are my Top 10 Tips to keep your family safe this halloween.

Costumes. Make sure the costumes you buy are flame retardant. They should fit well and not be too long so kids can walk without tripping. Watch out for dangling strings, fringes, scarves, etc. When choosing a costume, pick ones that will be comfortable for hours of wear, and will keep the child warm enough for chilly nights trick or treating. Avoid costumes and accessories that are sharp or pointy.Be visible. Costume that are reflective or bright are best so kids are visible by car drivers. If the costume is dark, consider adding some reflective tape to the costume, treat bag, shoes, etc. Reflective tape and a flashlight can make your child more visible in the dark.Masks. Be wary of mask since they can obscure vision. They are usually difficult to wear for any length of time. Opt for makeup and hats instead.Pumpkins. Do not let kids carve pumpkins themselves. Let them draw faces or designs on the pumpkins with markers and you do the carving. Instead of candles, use fairy lights, Christmas lights, or the orange lights now available at many stores. Just carve an extra hole in the back of the pumpkin so you can bring the plug through.Your Home. Before the little ghouls and goblins start arriving, make sure your home is ready. Clear off any items on your lawn that kids could trip on in the dark. Make sure your walkway is clear and lit. Check that your porch light works.Pets. Pets should be secured in a back part of the house. All the excitement and noise can upset them. You do not want them getting loose, or worse – biting a child.Safety outside. Warn your kids about running across the street. Night comes earlier this time of year and motorists may have trouble seeing the little ones if they dart out. There are pedestrian accidents every year during Halloween. Use extra caution if you are driving.Safe Trick or Treating. An adult must always go with small children. Teach your child to only go to homes where the lights are on. They should never enter inside a home. They should never go off with anyone promising sweets or enter a car for treats.Safety in Numbers. Older kids will probably want to go without parents, but lay down some rules first. Make kids stay together. Plan the route they will take, so they can find each other if one person gets lost, and you know where to go looking for them if you need to. Remind them to remain on the streets: not to cut across lawns or through alley ways. At least one child should carry a cell phone.Treat Safety. Once your kids get home, go through their candy. Throw out any suspicious or unwrapped items. Apples should be washed and cut up into pieces or used to make apple sauce. Limit the sweets children eat. My recommendation is to give Halloween toys instead of candy. They are free of allergens and sugar; toys are fun; and leftovers can be saved for next year. You can also get inexpensive Halloween flashlights and reflective necklaces as treats.A little preparation can ensure everyone has a happy, and safe, Halloween.


About the Author

Nancy Stonecutter is a nurse who writes about family and child care. Visit her blog at http://www.NancytheNurse.wordpress.com for more information.

5 Hottest Halloween Costumes for Adults in 2009

Article by Prosperity66

Halloween is an amusing occasion full of suspense and full of humor. The spirit should be the right one and the mind should focus on amusing the whole crowd that joins the party, and you will never fail in your goal. There are numerous options commercially available in terms of Halloween costumes but there are a lot more you can make yourself this year, on condition that you have that in yourself and desire to have that individual touch that is generally missing in ready-made costumes.

Michael Jackson Costume, a Modest Tribute

One of the most big event of 2009 is the death Michael Jackson, the King of pop. Therefore, undoubtedly wearing the costume like one that MJ used to wear, tops the list of each Halloween enthusiast. The entire outfit is really simple, even though it seems complex. Just get black curly hair wig, shiny pants and T-shirt with a black jacket and you will pay the ultimate homage to the greatest pop star ever.

Geisha Costume, Look Gorgeous

Geisha is also one of the hottest outfit persons wish to wear, though creating this at home may be challenging, it is available in shops on condition that you know where to start your research. The makeup is simpler to do: entirely coloring your face and neck white and wearing dark red lip stick and black eye liner along with combing your hair and making a bun will give you the Geisha look.

Marilyn Monroe, the Cover Girl

Marilyn Monroe, as we all know is one of the most well-known film stars ever, is also among the most preferred as well as the most admirable glamorous woman. She is a fantastic beauty icon for many, therefore why not costume like her and mesmerize the people at the party. All you need to do is to wear a long white dress, wear blond wig which is curled till half and put a sparkling red lipstick on your lips and recall to wear that mole near your lips.

F1 Pilot, You Will Make the Buzz

Whenever you are a guy and feel that being artistic is not your cup of tea, then dressing like a racing car driver is a good alternative. Amaze the attendees with that impressive racing dress gear which is so smart and showy. It is easily accessible at retailer shops and you can select from a large range of different types and designs of racing gear.

Genie, Magical Halloween

If you appreciate humor and like magic, costume like a Genie, which is actually a creation of Disney world and was celebrated for decades. If you do not have a lot of money to spend for your Halloween costume, simply make a basic costume from what you have at home and add a few accessories.

Besides the types of costumes referred above, there are dozens of different alternatives such as Super Man, Vampire, Cat Woman, etc. Nonetheless, make sure that, no matter the character you choose to feature, you have a lot of fun during the party.

About the Author

Now that you have got several adult Halloween costume ideas, it’s time for you to start planning your next Halloween party. And if you want a little help, come visit My Happy Halloween and see our huge list of Halloween costumes for adults.

Tricks to Make Halloween a Treat for Diabetic Children

Article by Diabetic Care Services

Special Report: Halloween Safety Tips

Article by Jennifer Lalk

Halloween is a fun and exciting time for children and adults alike. It’s also a time when accidents and tragedies abound.

The following is a list of things you can do to ensure that your loved ones have a safe and fun Halloween.

Costumes

- Flame resistance. When picking out a costume for your child, always be sure to look for ones with a “flame resistant” label. Make certain every piece of the costume, wigs, beards, hats, scarves, masks is marked as “flame resistant”. Flame resistant items can catch fire, but resist burning and are easily extinguished once removed from the fire’s source.

- Avoid loose, billowy and baggy costumes. Jack-o-lanterns and candles are a big part of Halloween decorations and pose a great risk to anyone wearing a costume that is loose, billowy or baggy.- Costumes should be short enough to not trip your child.

- Bright material. Be sure your child’s costume is light or brightly colored so it can be easily seen in the dark. If your child has a dark costume, add strips of reflective tape so motorists can easily see him. Reflective tape can be found in most hardware or sporting goods stores and is an easy way to make sure your child is visible.

- Secure scarves and hats. Not only do scarves and hats present a potential fire hazard when not secured, they can also obstruct vision. It is very important that children can see clearly as they are out trick-or-treating so be sure to secure scarves, hats or any other item that may obstruct their vision.

- Face paint or makeup instead of masks. Masks should be avoided for the same reason; they are often designed so that the wearer cannot see well out of them. A safer alternative is to use makeup or face paint instead. If your child’s costume just won’t work without a mask, be sure to get one that fits your child well and that the eye holes are big enough that the child can see clearly with it on.

- Safe shoes. Wearing mother’s stilettos may be a cute addition to a costume but presents a tripping hazard. Be sure your child’s shoes allow her to walk easily and safely and that they won’t cause her to trip or stumble as she’s crossing the street.

- Soft, flexible props. Make sure any sword, wands, scythes, etc., that are a part of your child’s costume is soft and flexible to avoid injury.

Trick-or-Treating

- Young children should always be accompanied by an adult or responsible teenager.

- Stick to familiar neighborhoods. Older children who are going out without a parent should stay in your neighborhood for safety.

- Never let a child, no matter what their age, trick-or-treat alone. There is safety in numbers, especially when going from door-to-door in the dark.

- Map out a route of exactly where your trick-or-treators will be going and insist that they stick to it at all times.

- Trick-or-treat only at houses that are well lit or that have a porch light on to welcome trick-or-treators. Never go to a dark house or one where a “no trick-or-treating” sign is displayed.

- Make certain to tell your children, no matter what their age, that they are not to enter someone’s house or apartment. And, that they are not to help an adult with anything, no matter what he or she says. If the adult truly needs help he can get another adult to help him.

- Always walk on sidewalks and use cross walks or cross at street corners. Trick-or-treators have been run over when darting out from between parked cars.

- Make sure your children know they are never to go down an alley or cut through an empty lot or field. They should stick to the preplanned route at all times.

- In order to see and to be seen everyone in the group should carry a flashlight.

- Tell your children they are not to eat anything until they get home and have an adult check their goodies. If your children eat a good meal before they go they may be less tempted to dive into their goody bag before you get a chance to check it out.

Parties

– Remove harmful and/or breakable objects from the party area. This includes candles or any open flames that could potentially cause costumes to catch fire.

– If using dry ice in the punch, place small chunks in a bowl of water and float the bowl in the punch. Dry ice contains chemicals that should not be ingested and can also cause burns if pieces find their way in your guests’ mouths.

- Check to be sure that none of your guests have food allergies before you plan your menu. Food allergies are more common now than ever and a bad reaction can put a damper on your festivities, as well as possibly risking the health of a guest.

- Play games that are age appropriate to your group. If there are a variety of ages in your group, consider breaking into smaller groups according to age and playing games accordingly.

- Avoid germ-swapping games to keep health risks at bay. While bobbing for apples and similar games are fun and traditional, they are also breeding grounds for all sorts of germs.

Pets

– Keep pets inside. Halloween is a dangerous time for pets. Keeping them inside and accompanying them when they’re put out to “do their business” will help keep them safe from harm. If you have pets that absolutely have to be outside, keep them in a well lit place where you can see them.

- If you have a pet that might dart out the door when it’s opened for trick-or-treators, consider shutting it in a room with food and water and checking on it periodically through the evening.

- Consider using artificial lights in place of candles for decorating. Many a tail, paw and face have been burned due to traditional candles.

- Keep all candy and wrappers out of your pets’ reach.

- If you’re hosting an adult party where alcohol will be served, be sure to keep it well out of your pets’ reach. While an intoxicated pooch may be humorous, a visit to the vet’s office will not.

Friday October 30th, Baer Insurance will be hosting a safe and warm Halloween Trick-or-Treat event for their clients. From 9am to 3pm, bring your little ones for candy, free goodies, and a picture of them in their costume! For more details, email baer@baerinsurance.com.

About the Author

Jennifer Lalk is the Marketing Manager for Baer Insurance, an independent insurance agency located in Madison, WI. Baer Insurance is a charter member of the National Society of Agents for Consumer Education (NSACE).

Halloween — What’s a Great Costume for a Young Woman?

Article by Trevor James

Firstly, if you’re asking this question we can tell you’re in a social scene, and so your first rule is to choose only things that are *attractive*.

It may seem obvious when you think about it, but how many times have you seen people dress up in all sorts of ugly ways? Usually these relate to death and damage. An arrow through the head. Dripping blood. And for example, if you dress as an old witch, you’ll be intentionally making yourself ugly.

And while that might seem like the spirit of Halloween with ghosts and goblins, you’re missing a great opportunity to present yourself as attractive.

Young Sarah

Back in San Francisco I had a couple of friends, a couple named River and Sarah, both fairly young. Sarah had very dark hair, nice eyes, decent figure, and very nice and very pale skin.

So here’s what Sarah did one halloween: She got herself a pointed hat like a witch might wear, black it was, and a bit of very thin black lace as a veil. She may have added a bit of glitter here and there.

She wore her “little black dress” — I don’t remember whether it was spaghetti straps or strapless, nor whether it was dull-finished or sequinned, but it was black, and it was rather a short little black dress.

She got a black cape, or maybe she made it. I don’t recall whether it was lined in red satin or not. She then got some black high heels, and some flesh-colored, non patterned hose, and showed off those long legs to advantage.

She did her makeup like for evening theatre, with plenty of mascara and some blue eyeliner. She used a bright, bright cherry red lipstick. She powered her face to keep it pale as possible.

She loaded up her arms with a number of bangly bracelets and wore either no necklace or some sort of black ribbon choker thing. Drew a black beauty mark on one cheek. Tiny black purse with a wrist strap.

Dressed to Kill

I other words she dressed to kill. She’d have been right at home for a night on the town, except that she had a pointed black hat and a cape and everything was black and red. Halloween permits this extremity. Take advantage like Sarah did.

She looked absolutely delicious. She looked like she was wearing a costume. But she never grew confused. She never looked ugly or macabre. She wasn’t trying to be clever or disguised as a Q-Tip.

She was being attractive as heck, for halloween.

You don’t have to show too much leg, you don’t have to show too much cleavage. You don’t need to be Sheena Queen of the Jungle — though that is another route that can be attractive. You show just enough that the boys notice. That’s enough.

I’ve seen women in business suits who were sexy as can be. The garments should both conceal, promise, and reveal. That’s what triggers the guys. You needn’t be trampish or lewd, and in fact that act works against you way too much.

Just remember to find any persona — witch, cat girl, drum majorette, ballerina, sheena queen of the jungle, fairy princess, wonder woman — but then think about how within that persona you can dress so as to present yourself as attractive.

Don’t be Clever. Be Attractive

It’s not intellectual thought that creates a social hit. It’s hormones.

Don’t go for cleverness. Go for any persona, presented attractively, and you’ll knock em dead.

That’s fitting for Halloween, don’t you think?

About the Author

Trevor James is howto guru at Voltos Industries, and has been writing articles about music, psychology, and online business since 2003. His latest website is about the wooden dolls house as a magnificent toy for children and a fascination for collectors, and how the wooden doll house has become a part of world culture.