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Published on October 30, 2018

Halloween Costume Safety: Face Paints, Colored Contacts and Choosing a Costume

Halloween Safety

For some kids and parents, Halloween costume planning starts the morning of November 1st – for others, planning starts a few minutes before heading out the door. Whether you’re a costume planner or procrastinator, it’s important for everyone to be mindful of choosing costumes that are safe. Before you dress up, here’s what you need to know to make smart costume choices for a healthy and happy Halloween.

Makeup and Face Paint

Vibrant makeup and face paint can be a fun way to transform into a tiger or a butterfly, but it’s important to ensure the products you use won’t damage skin. When buying Halloween makeup or face paint, check the ingredients against this chart of safe color additives.

Before wearing makeup or face paint, test it by applying the product to a small patch of skin. Wash the product off immediately if you notice any of these symptoms:

  • Burning or itching
  • Redness
  • Rash

Colored Contact Lenses

Colored contact lenses can change the appearance of your eyes to enhance a Halloween costume – but when sold without a prescription, colored contact lenses are very dangerous. They may be painted with unsafe paints or fit incorrectly in your eye, which can lead to cuts, infection and even permanent vision damage. Nonprescription contact lenses should never be worn.

You can get safe colored contact lenses from an eye care provider, who can determine whether contacts are right for you, measure your eyes for a proper fit, provide safe lenses and help you learn how to care for your eyes while wearing contacts.

Costumes and Props

Cuteness, impressiveness and spookiness are usually things we consider when picking a costume– but there are other equally important factors to consider as well. Can you see and walk well in the costume? Is the costume easily visible if it is dark outside? Will the costume keep you warm if temperatures are cold on Halloween? To keep you and your child safe, here are a few costume pieces to watch out for:

  • Masks or hats that might block vision.
  • Long or sharp props or costume pieces.
  • Hanging fabric or other costume pieces that may cause a tripping hazard.
  • Fabric that is not flame-resistant.
  • Costumes and props that are hard to see in the dark.

Before you head out on Halloween night, bundle up if it’s cold out, choose good shoes for endurance trick-or-treating and carry a phone and flashlight for a safe and happy Halloween.