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Are your kids’ Halloween costumes safe? 5 things parents need to know

With Halloween around the corner, many trick-or-treaters have already picked out their costumes. But just how safe are those outfits? The editors at Good Housekeeping recently put eight popular costumes to the test, using federal guidelines: If the outfit went up in flames in under 3.5 seconds, it's combustible.Unfortunately, there's no way to tell if a fabric will be flammable just by looking at
By TODAY

With Halloween around the corner, many trick-or-treaters have already picked out their costumes. But just how safe are those outfits? The editors at Good Housekeeping recently put eight popular costumes to the test, using federal guidelines: If the outfit went up in flames in under 3.5 seconds, it's combustible.

Unfortunately, there's no way to tell if a fabric will be flammable just by looking at it, so executive editor Meaghan Murphy provided TODAY viewers with some tips on how to stay safe on Halloween around those candle-lit jack-o-lanterns:

  1. Look for costumes made from 100 percent synthetic fibers like nylon or polyester.

  2. Watch for glitter. It can be more flammable.

  3. Opt for undecorated polyester fabric.

  4. Skip the capes, dress trains, and dangling sleeves. They can drag and graze lit jack-o-lanterns, as well as pose a tripping hazard.

  5. When creating DIY costumes, stick with with polyester, nylon, wool, and acrylic fabrics. Avoid using materials made of natural fibers, like cotton balls.