Criminal Defense Is All We Do – Put Over 100 Years Of Combined Experience On Your Side
Attorneys David Parry, Matthew Kindel and Curtis Crider

Halloween In Tampa Bay Tips

On Behalf of | Oct 24, 2016 | Firm News

It is that time of year… almost ranking as high as Christmas when children of all ages get a sugar overload while wearing imaginative costumes. Straddling the line between fall and winter, plenty and paucity, life and death, Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition. And Halloween in Tampa Bay is even more fun because our fantastic weather almost guarantees a great strolling warm night.

Some people believe Halloween is when ghosts come back to earth, and to avoid being recognized by a ghost, you wear a mask or costume. Over time, it became less about ghosts coming back to haunt you, and more about candy, parties and costumes. Are you planning to dress up this year? Do you give candy out to children? What are you favorite Halloween candies?

Here are a few tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics to make this year’s Halloween exciting and safe:

  • Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
  • Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
  • Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes. Makeup should be tested ahead of time on a small patch of skin to ensure there are no unpleasant surprises on the big day.
  • When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
  • If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child’s costume, make sure it is not sharp or long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
  • Do not use decorative contact lenses without an eye examination and a prescription from an eye care professional. While the packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as “one size fits all,” or “no need to see an eye specialist,” obtaining decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. This can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.
  • Review with children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they ever have an emergency or become lost.
  • Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.
  • Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is safest.
  • Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and not on a porch or any path where visitors may pass close by. They should never be left unattended.

Archives