subject: Reflective Tape - Tips To Keep Kids Safe At Halloween [print this page] Halloween is one of those popular holidays around the world, like Christmas. Kids can take an entire day to launch themselves into a fantasy world where they can be anything they want, from a power ranger to a ghoul. There's a lot that goes into choosing the right costume for this fantastic, spooky holiday but unfortunately there are too many parents and kids that don't consider safety when picking a costume. The solution to visibility and safety issues is to create or purchase costumes that use reflective tape and reflective accessories to keep kids visible. Here are some things to consider when choosing Halloween costumes.
Reflective Tape Understanding - Kids may not initially understand the need for reflective tape or reflective accessories. They may just thinking you're trying to cramp their style and ruin their fun by adding some uncool accessory. Take the time to explain to kids the need for reflective tape because of visibility issues and safety concerns. Once the need is clearly defined it will be much easier to come up with a compromise.
Keep Social Issues in Mind - Of course with the compromise you want to keep kids visible. Keep their position in mind as well, though. There's a certain social stigma with draping them in silly reflective tape. You don't want to humiliate them with their friends, so there's no need to light them up like a lighthouse. Just work in subtle reflective tape lines to give them improved visibility. Manufacturers should keep this in mind as well when designing costumes.
Make Sure Costumes Fit - This might not seem like it sticks with the theme of visibility but a loose costumer can create a lot of problems. When costume clothing doesn't fit, it can be a trip-hazard for kids then sends them face first into a set of porch steps. Likewise, saggy costumes can obscure carefully placed reflective tape. Do a fitting. If the costume seems loose to the point where it would cover up reflective tape or plotting then do a little hem work, grab some pins and make it fit.
Trick out Your Props - The visibility boosts don't stop with the costume. You can work reflective tape, accessories and more into costume props to make sure kids stand out. This is a great way to add 360 visibility to a kid without cramping their Halloween style.
Unless you want to be the ogre that keeps your kids indoors for the holiday, there's no better way to keep them visible than through the use of reflective tape or accessories. It doesn't matter how elaborate or simple the costume is for a child, you need to make the effort to explain the important of reflective accessories and work them into the costume to ensure maximum visibility.
