Costume safety, from face paint to flame-safe fabric

Most costume injuries come from a handful of predictable causes: something that blocks sight, something that trips a wearer, something that catches fire, and skin that reacts to what has been put on it. None of them needs expensive gear to avoid. This costume safety guide gathers the conservative, widely repeated advice from consumer-safety and health organizations, grouped by what you are making or wearing. It also points to the theme and DIY pages that go further on each topic.

Start with the basics

Before the details, run through four questions for any costume.

1. Can the wearer see clearly, including to the sides and down?
2. Can they breathe and hear normally?
3. Can they walk, climb stairs and sit down without tripping?
4. Is it kept away from heat and flame?

If the answer to any is no, change the costume, not the rules for wearing it.

Makeup and face paint

Skin is the first place a costume can cause trouble.

• Use products made for skin. Face paint and makeup sold for skin only. Craft paint, acrylics and markers are not made for faces.
• Patch test first. Dab a little on the inside of the forearm or behind the ear a few days before the event, and watch for redness, itching or swelling. Test each product you plan to use.
• Check the label and ingredients. In the United States, color additives in cosmetics must be approved for that use, and some are approved only for particular areas of the body. Keep products away from the eye area unless they are labeled for it.
• Keep it out of the eyes and mouth. Rinse with water if it gets in the eye, and see a doctor if irritation continues.
• Remove it before bed. Use the remover the product recommends or gentle soap and water, and be careful around the eyes.

For application techniques and removal, see the costume makeup guide.

Masks and visibility

A mask that blocks the view is a fall waiting to happen.

• Eyeholes should be large enough for full vision, and the nose and mouth should be open so breathing is not restricted.
• Many safety organizations suggest makeup or a hat instead of a mask for young children, especially for evening walking.
• Never wear a mask while driving.
• Test the costume by walking up and down stairs and across a room before the event.
• A wig or hood that slips over the eyes needs pinning or replacing.

Decorative contact lenses

Colored or decorative contact lenses can cause serious eye injuries when they do not fit correctly. Do not wear them unless you have seen an eye care professional for a proper fitting and instructions. A lens bought without a fitting can scratch the eye and lead to infection.

Fabric, flames and decorations

Fire is a rare risk but a serious one, and lanterns, candles and string lights are often part of the setting.

• Look for a flame-resistant label on costumes, wigs and accessories you buy. The label means the item resists burning and should go out when removed from the flame. It does not mean fireproof.
• For homemade costumes, choose tightly woven fabrics such as polyester or nylon over loose, flimsy or fluffy materials.
• Avoid billowing sleeves, long skirts and fluffy trims near candles and open flames.
• Use battery-powered lights in jack-o’-lanterns and decorations, not real candles.
• Teach children to stop, drop and roll if clothing ever catches fire.

Capes, hems and trip hazards

Capes, trains and long robes look good and cause falls.

• Keep hems above the ankle when the wearer will be walking, climbing stairs or dancing.
• Fasten capes with hook-and-loop tape or a loose tie so they release if snagged. Never use a tight knot at the throat.
• Check the length of trousers, tails and tutus, and wear shoes that fit well. Oversized shoes and heavy boots are common causes of trips.
• Plan for the room: a crowded party floor needs a shorter costume than an open lawn.

The no-sew cape guide shows a cape that releases safely.

Hot glue, tools and building with kids

Making costumes together is half the fun, as long as the tools match the age.

• Hot glue. High-temperature glue guns can cause burns almost at once. Children under about eight years old should not use them, and older children need direct adult supervision. A low-temperature gun is safer for craft work. Use a heat-proof mat, keep a bowl of cold water close, and treat the nozzle as untouchable.
• Scissors and craft knives. Give children blunt-tipped scissors. Keep craft knives for adults, and cut on a mat away from the body.
• Sewing. Teach safe handling of needles and pins, and count pins in and out.
• Adhesives and paints. Work in a ventilated room and read the label. Check that glues and paints are non-toxic if children will handle them.

The DIY costume guides include safety notes for each build.

Small parts and young children

Children under three put things in their mouths.

• Avoid loose buttons, beads, sequins, googly eyes and fake jewelry on costumes for toddlers.
• Sew or tape every decoration firmly and tug it before each wear.
• Do not use button batteries in children’s costumes unless the compartment locks. Swallowed button batteries can cause serious injury in a matter of hours, and this risk is most serious for young children.
• A simple test: if a part fits through a toilet paper tube, it is too small for a child under three.

Browse the kids’ costumes guide for age-appropriate builds.

Heat in mascot heads and layered costumes

Full heads, foam suits, fur and several layers trap heat and moisture. Heat illness is the most common problem reported by people who wear mascot costumes.

• Work in short stretches with breaks in a cool place, taking the head off at each one. In hot weather, shorten the stretch and lengthen the break.
• Drink water before and after, and keep it within reach.
• Use vented heads, mesh screens and light, moisture-wicking base layers. A small battery fan helps if it is mounted away from the face.
• Know the signs of heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, cool and clammy skin, dizziness, headache, nausea and weakness. Stop at once, take off the head and any tight pieces, move to a cool place, loosen clothing and sip water. Get medical help if symptoms do not ease.
• Know the signs of heat stroke: confusion, fainting, a very hot body, and skin that is hot and red, dry or damp. This is an emergency. Call 911 right away, move the person to a cooler place, remove restrictive costume pieces and cool them with cool wet cloths while help arrives. Do not give a confused or unconscious person anything to drink.
• Use a helper for stairs and crowds, because sight and hearing are limited.

The mascot costumes guide covers builds and ventilation in more detail.

Costumes for pets

Pet costumes are cute and easy to get wrong.

• Only dress an animal that tolerates it. If a pet hates clothes, a bandana is enough.
• The costume must not restrict movement, sight, breathing, barking or meowing. Never cover the face.
• Remove anything a pet could chew and swallow, such as buttons, bows and dangling parts.
• Supervise the whole time, keep it short, and take it off if the animal seems distressed.

See the pet costumes page for ideas that respect these limits.

Being seen at night

Trick-or-treating and evening events happen in the dark.

• Add reflective tape or strips to the costume, shoes and treat bag.
• Carry a flashlight or use a glow stick.
• Choose bright or light colors when you can, and use makeup instead of a mask.
• Walk on sidewalks, cross at crosswalks and keep young children with an adult.
• Make sure the costume is short enough to see the feet.

Props such as lights and reflective details are covered on the costume accessories page.

Allergies and latex

Latex shows up in masks, wigs, gloves and prosthetics. It is a common allergen, and some makeup adhesives and liquid latex products need their own patch test. If someone has a latex allergy, choose latex-free products and read every label. Fragrance and preservatives in face paint can also cause reactions, so a patch test is worth doing even for products labeled hypoallergenic. Stop at the first sign of itching, a rash or swelling.

A quick checklist before you leave the house

• Can the wearer see, hear and breathe easily?
• Is the costume short enough to walk in, and are shoes comfortable?
• Is it flame-resistant or kept away from flames?
• Are small parts secure, and are makeup and adhesives patch tested?
• Is there reflective tape, a light and a plan for the way home?

If the answer to each is yes, the costume is ready.