With witches and goblins getting ready for their big night out, parents should get ready too. The stores are chock full of costumes for wee trick-or-treaters including some that could turn an evening of fright and fun into a night at the ER.  Here are some tips for buying or making safe Halloween costumes: 

• Consider buying light-colored or bright garments that are visible to motorists. If the costume is dark, apply some reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car’s headlights.
• Carefully consider the costume's flammability and opt for material that won't easily go up in smoke. If your child wants to be a mummy, don't wrap him in toilet paper, paper towels or gauze. Other fire hazards include big, baggy sleeves, trailing cloaks, and billowing skirts that can get too close to a jack-o-lantern. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends purchasing costumes, beards, masks, and wigs that have the "Flame Resistant" label.
• Make sure the costume is short enough so children won’t trip and fall.
• Make sure masks don’t obstruct your child’s vision.  Better yet, use FDA-approved facial make-up, instead of masks.
• Don’t allow your children to wear decorative, non-corrective contact lenses that are dispensed without a prescription. 
• Don't overlook the shoes; they should be sturdy and fit well. Mom's high heels may look great but if they're wobbly and unsteady—in other words, easy to trip over—consider something more well-grounded.
• If a sword, cane, or stick is part of a costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. Better yet—skip the sticks entirely. These accessories can easily cause harm including serious eye injuries.
• Give your child a flashlight to carry.—Don Mays