Costumes to avoid this Halloween

HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP) - The sights and sounds of Halloween are taking over as ghosts, goblins, and kids in costumes prepare for a night of trick or treating.  But some costumes are safer than others.  Area pediatrician Dr. Jonathan Schwab says that's especially the case when it comes to small children.

“We always want our children to have more of a proper costume as a princess or something.  Like her, she chose this one,” said Amherst resident Poppy Durham of the “skeleton cheerleader” costume her daughter picked out.

And from mask to costumes your choices are endless. But if you have to choose for your children, doctors say the best and safest bet is face makeup.

“A mask sometimes can cover up a child's eyes and make it difficult for them to see and also they can get overheated,” said Dr. Schwab of Northampton Area Pediatrics, LLC.  “[When it comes to face paint] you can use a patch test to make sure they don't have some type of reaction by putting a little bit on their forearm and testing it out the day beforehand.”

Rhonda Costa of Palmer plans to take her 5-year-old and 12-year-old boys trick or treating next Wednesday, but says she tends to stay away from buying masks. 

“Yes, I won't put a mask on him I also try to stay away the baggy clothing. We'll do hats but we do not do the mask, we do not do the sharp objects or anything that looks too violent,” said Costa in Hadley on Wednesday. 

Along with avoiding masks on small children, Dr. Schwab urges parents to also stay away from costumes with button batteries.

“Actually a big concern about batteries, the little lithium batteries is swallowing them. And one these little batteries can be swallowed into the intestine it actually can cause corrosion and serious problems,” said Dr. Schwab inside his Locust Street office. 

Dr. Schwab says following these simple guidelines, for kids' costumes will help keep Halloween fun and safe.