A few tips for tonight:
1.  Don’t Frankenstein Your Lights

When purchasing electrical decorations, make sure to shop at a reputable retailer and look for the UL Mark.  Be sure to check the rating on your extension cords and do not plug in more than the recommended wattage.  Use special, heavy-duty extension cords for high wattage decorations such as fog machines and electrically powered inflatable decorations.

2.  Inspect Decorations with Fiendish Care

Inspect all of your electric lights and decorations for damage or wear. Cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires and loose connections may pose a fire or shock hazard. Replace damaged light strings with energy-efficient LED lights.  Look for a red UL Mark to indicate that lights are certified for both indoor and outdoor use. A green UL mark indicates certification for indoor use only.

3.  Beware of Candles

Candles, especially in a Jack O’Lantern, should be off the ground and out of children’s reach. Try battery-operated LED candles for an even safer option.

4.  Don’t Trip Up Your Goblins

Halloween costumes should allow full movement for your kids. Costumes that drag, constrict or drape pose a dangerous hazard, especially at night. Check to ensure that costumes don’t restrict your children’s vision, and instruct them to watch out for tripping hazards, such as cords.

5.  Say Boo to Unsafe Costumes

Be sure to purchase or make costumes out of flame-resistant materials such as nylon or polyester as these specially marked fabrics will resist burning and extinguish quickly.

6.  Be Safe and Bright

Choose costumes that are lighter in color and attach reflective materials to costumes. Make sure each child has a flashlight to help them see and be seen.

7.  HAVE THE BEST HALLOWEEN EVER!

Halloween’s just around the corner.  What’s the costume gonna be this year?

Last year we bought about a billion costumes at a yard sale that a Prana Power Yoga student was having, and of course, my plus 5 have no desire to wear any of those costumes this year (LOL).  Dakota and Montana have no say in the matter (they’re 18 months old) so I’ll squeeze em into the two pumpkin outfits fo sure because it don’t get any cuter than a 18 month old pair o pumpkin twins. 

So…what are your kiddos contemplating?  And helloooowww, what’s the deal with those catalogues espousing $40 costumes (don’t be embarrassed, I’ve partaken in em before, with my first child, Madison, two at the time).

Sagey, age 7, told me yesterday that she’s gonna be “a robber,” and described how she will do so, without needing a “real” costume.  I reminded her of the eight billion other costumes in the cedar closet and more importantly, of deliberate creation, and asked her if she really wanted to be a robber. 

Here’s what HALLOWEEN SEARCHES ON YAHOO came up with this year:

Baby Love. Babies are innocent and sweet, and most parents tend to make sure the costumes are a match for that innocence, and animal and flower costumes are usual favorites. Searches for “baby costumes” are up more than 3,700% this month. The 2011 trends? Angry Bird baby costume, cookie monster and Disney’s “Up”.

Top Searched Baby Halloween Costumes

Angry Bird

Cookie Monster

Butterfly

Dinosaur

Pumpkin

Top Searched Toddler Halloween Costumes

▪               Pirate

▪               Stay Puff Marshmallow

▪               Disney’s “Up”

▪               Elephant

▪               Brother/Sister costume ideas for toddlers

Top Searched Kids Halloween Costumes:

1.           Lava Girl

2.           Disney (Mickey, Minnie)

3.           Harry Potter

4.           Michael Jackson

5.           Nerd

Do it yourself?  Are the best costumes homemade costumes? Yahoo! searches for “homemade Halloween costume” are spiking 658% this month. Most likely, it’s not about the costume, but the fun with family and friends that goes into making the costume. Whether it’s a costume, caramel apples or pumpkin carving, Halloween is a time when holiday projects start capturing the attention of people across the country.

Top Searched DIY Searches:

1.           Halloween crafts

2.           Easy to make Halloween costumes

3.           How to make a mask?

4.           Haunted house ideas

5.           Create a haunted room

So what are you up to this Halloween Supermoms?   I’d love to hear.