10 Halloween Costume Safety Tips

10 Halloween Costume Safety Tips

Halloween is a fantastic holiday filled with fun for all ages. However, if you're not careful your fun can come to an abrupt end. There is no such thing as playing it too safe. These 10 Halloween safety costume tips will help ensure that your Halloween is filled with laughter, not tears.

1. Masks- Masks in general are not safe due to the fact that a mask limits your view. Don't be fooled if you try a mask on, and you can see fine straight ahead. Can you see and object resting on your shoulder while looking straight ahead? Not only should parents avoid buying mask for their children, but adults should avoid them as well.

2. Temporary spray hair dye- Most spray on hair dyes are highly flammable. As an alternative you can find temporary comb in dyes, but still check the packaging to any warnings.

3. Glitter face paint- Avoid putting anything with glitter around your eyes, especially on children. Without thinking children often wipe their eyes, especially if they are sleepy, and getting glitter in your eyes isn't fun.

4. Wigs- Most cheap Halloween wigs are going to consist of polyester, which is a highly flammable material. Check the label to see if it is flame resistant.

5. Face paint- If you’re going to use face paint, especially on a child, be sure to do an allergy test the day before. An easy place to test the paint is on the child's wrist. Grease paints are usually safe to use, however it is better to be safe then sorry.

6. Shoes- Halloween is not the time to try out new shoes. You want to make sure that the shoes you or your child is wearing are comfortable, and easy to walk in.

7. Dark Colors- We all know that you can't see dark colors at night. Yet time and time again parents dress their kids as ninjas, or other dark colored charters. Bottom line is, drivers can't see them. Wear bright colored costumes, or add reflector tape to darker ones.

8. Too Big- Costumes that are dragging the ground are not safe. These are easy to trip on or get snagged on things. Besides that, you cannot move very fast in something that is dragging the ground.

9. Props- What pirate doesn't carry a sword? Props might look nice, but are they practical? What does a child do when you hand them a sword? They swing it around. It is easy for someone to get hit in the eye or head due to the careless nature of a child having fun. If you can avoid props then do so. If not, look for props that have no sharp edges, or ones that are made out of foam. Inflatable props are also becoming very popular.

10. Trick-or-Treat Bags- When buying a bag or bucket, consider what the handle is like. Plastic bags weighted with candy, can rub blisters, or even cut into a child's skin. A canvas tote bag is a good alternative, plus they can carry it on their shoulder. You can also have the child dump their bag or bucket into a canvas tote that you carry when you see it getting heavy.

I hope these tips help you have a safe and

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

TOP 5 HEALTHY HALLOWEEN TREATS FOR YOUR LITTLE MONSTER

Spooky Jell-O:  Make a package of orange Jell-O and use Halloween cookie cutters to make spooky creatures. Top it off with creepy crawlers and you’ve got yourself a non-fat treat. 

 Trick or Treat Alternatives: This year, take initiative in your neighborhood by giving healthier candy alternatives like animal crackers, single serve boxes of cereal, or individual 100 percent juice drinks. 

Carrot Fingers: Take five carrot sticks and slice off the edges in an angle so they look like fingertips (optional: place sliced almonds on top of the “fingers” to look like finger nails). Stick them in a bowl of dip and you have an orange hand reaching out of the dip! 

Ghost Toasts: Take a piece of white toast (preferably with added fiber) and shape it into a ghost. Cover it with whipped cream cheese and use currants to add eyes and mouths! How’s that for a Halloween breakfast option?  

Mummified Pizzas: On half a slice of whole-wheat English muffin, add a little pizza sauce (and other preferred ingredients like vegetables!) and create the face of a mummy using shredded mozzarella cheese and sliced olives as eyes.

DO YOU HAVE ANY HEALTHY HALLOWEEN TREATS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? HAVE YOU TRIED ANY OF THE ABOVE? SHARE AWAY! AND HAVE A HAPPY, HEALTHY, SCARY HALLOWEEN!  

How can I make more money working for TLC for Kids?

This is a question we hear a lot. We have several suggestions for you. Please feel free to respond with any questions or suggestion to other nannies of how to make more money on your job, and how to get more jobs. Thanks!

1) Keep your availability up-to-date.
We need for it to be up-to-date and accurate in order to offer you jobs that fit your schedule. It is very helpful to us if you change your availability if your plans change. I know this isn't always easy, but it really helps us out.
Also, try to make your availability as broad as possibly for any given day. If you say you can work "3 to midnight", that's going to open you up to many more jobs than "4 to 10".
Lastly, we encourage you to submit your availability weekly, but you can post it as far into the future as you like. We often get jobs as far as 2 months in the future, and not many people have theirs posted that far out, but the ones who do will get the jobs. This is especially helpful going into the holidays, when many of you will have days or weeks at a stretch when you can work. This will also be our busiest time.

2) Be flexible.

We don't want anyone to drive an hour for a 4-hour jobs. That doesn't make any sense. Some of you are willing to do it though, especially for regular clients or when they probably won't get another job that day. Let us know if you are willing to drive in order to get a job. ALSO-- consider that an hour drive might make a lot more sense for an 8 or 10 hour day. Just think, would you rather have $80-$100 or nothing?

Another opportunity that many caregivers miss out on is last-minute, same-day jobs. If you sleep through the phone ringing, or have the ringer turned off, you will miss out on a lot of jobs. Please remember that this is a huge part of our business and we always call the people who were know will answer their phones first.

3) Be a good communicator.
It's pretty simple: Answer your phone if you can. (Keeping the ringer on is important here).
Return calls promptly.
Check e-mail frequently.
Check your text messages and reply to them.
I e-mailed or texted 7 people about jobs tomorrow, 2 1/2 hours ago. One of them responded. I don't know if the others are no longer available or what, but now all of the jobs are gone.
Jessica worked on Saturday morning and had to call at least 15 people to staff just 2 Saturday night jobs. I know calling TLC might not be a priority if you have made other plans, but believe me, Jessica will remember who helped her out on Saturday-- and who never called her back-- when she works this Saturday.
If you are not currently receiving text messages from me but would like to, please reply to this e-mail with your cell phone number and the provider (AT&T, Verizon, etc.) You do NOT need to reply if you are already receiving texts from me.

Follow our blog and our TLC Caregivers page on Facebook. You will get lots of good tips and information, and network with other nannies.

Blog: http://kimberlytlcforkids.blogspot.com Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/University-City-MO/TLC-for-Kids-Inc/101596193212888?ref=ts

3) Let us know when you love a client-- and let them know too!
Please send me a note when you really click with a family. I will pass it along to them and this may mean more jobs for you! Also please leave your TLC business card and a What We Did While You Were Gone sheet. If you do not have your own personalized cards yet, we will order them for you as soon as you have completed 10 jobs and your file is complete! Please e-mail kimberly@tlcforkids.com if you are ready for her to order yours!

4) Keep your file up to date!
We need everyone to turn in time sheets monthly and keep your CPR up to date so that you can stay actively working!

5) Refer people to us!
If you have a friend or family who has awesome child care experience and is a go-getter, please refer them to us! This can earn you $30-$50 in referral bonus, per person. No so-so people, please! Let people know about TLC when you are out and about. If you are at the mall or the grocery store, wear your TLC t-shirt and carry business cards! We have learned that most TLC nannies who refer new clients then get requested specifically by those clients. More $$$ for you!

6) Walk the walk and talk the talk of a TLC Nanny!
Families love nannies who are upbeat on the phone and in person. They expect you to show up in your TLC shirt with a TLC goodie bag, ready to engage their kids! They do NOT love nannies who sound very tired or distracted when they call, and who seem not interested in the kids. Other big no-no's include not cleaning up after meals and activities and using the TV as a babysitter.

Go the extra mile! A client called the other day and requested a sitter back because she actually emptied the dishwasher and she was thrilled! They thought she was a great sitter but the dishwasher made her Supernanny to them!

You can't predict who will tip you but happy parents are definitely more likely to tip, and to request you back!

Thanks everyone! We want to have a mutually beneficial relationship with you-- meaning we find you great jobs and you provide great care. We welcome your feedback! We may post your comments and question on our blog!