Providence Children’s Hospital Emergency Room Advises Importance of Costume Safety

As Halloween nears and parents prepare costumes for their children, Providence Children’s Hospital Emergency Room would like to advise parents on the importance of keeping costumes safe.   This spooky time of the year brings in many costume injuries including falls from ill-fitting masks, skin irritations and infections from masks.  Last year over 4,000 costume related injuries were reported nationwide.  In order to avoid injuries, PCH Experts suggest the following tips:

• Avoid buying masks that are too large which prevent full visibility and restrict breathing.
• If possible, try to use make up instead of masks to avoid skin irritations and infections.
• When using make up, read labels to ensure they are FDA approved and meant for skin.
• Do not use acrylic craft paint, watercolor, or markers for face painting.
• Keep highly flammable costume material such as dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper away from open flames and other heat sources.

“We want children to enjoy a fun and safe Halloween,” said Nancy Arambasick, Executive Director at Providence Children’s Hospital. “Parents can take these small precautions to ensure their children stay injury free and have fun this Halloween.”