With Halloween just around the corner, parents need to take steps to ensure the safety of their little trick-or-treaters. Unsafe Halloween costumes, in particular, can be a potential source of child injuries.

The first thing to worry about is whether the costume is flammable, as flammable costumes can all too easily turn the delight of a candle glowing inside a pumpkin in the tragedy of a child on fire. All too often, Halloween costumes can be the source of other hazards to children.

Some costumes may have ties hanging from a mask or hooded sweatshirt that can become entangled and choke a child. Parents should also carefully examine labels on children's costumes, since responsible costume manufacturers should place useful safety warnings there.

A costume's length, if too long relative to a child's height, may result in the child tripping over the portion dragging on the ground as he or she walks, so a parent should be careful to shop for the right size costume.

Few Halloween costumes are complete without a mask, but if the eyeholes are not properly placed, or the mask is not properly ventilated, a child may have difficulty seeing or breathing with the mask on. A parent should also examine hoods or hats supplied with a costume to make sure they will stay on a child's head rather than slipping down to cover their face.

Given that children may be out trick or treating after dark, and may need to cross streets, it can be helpful to put reflective tape on their costumes so that motorists can see them. Giving children a flashlight with new batteries to carry is also a useful safety measure.

Source: HoumaToday.com, "Put safety first at Halloween," Doreen Nagle, Oct. 21, 2011