The Lowdown on Halloween

Do you know which
holiday decorating season is the biggest? Christmas, of course. How about the
second biggest? Halloween.

According to the
National Retail Federation, the average consumer spends about $65 on
Halloween-related items, including candy, costumes, and decorations. Total
retail sales surpass $7 billion annually.

During the Halloween season consumers spend about $2 billion on candy, making Halloween the biggest holiday for sweets. And with $586 million spent on decorations, Halloween is second
only to Christmas. Plus, Halloween has become the third biggest
party day, right behind New Year’s Eve and Super Bowl Sunday.

In total retail sales, Halloween ranks at number six. Why? People don’t give
expensive gifts at Halloween like they do on Christmas, Mother’s Day,
Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Father’s Day.

What are the most
popular costumes for kids?
According to the National Retail Federation’s 2007 Halloween Consumer Intentions
and Actions Survey, they are:

1. Princess

2. Spider-Man

3. Pirate

4. Witch

5. Fairy

6. Disney Princess

7. Star Wars
Character

8. Pumpkin

9. Ghost

10. Power Ranger

Even pets get
costumes. The most popular pet costume? Devil, followed by pumpkins and
witches.

Keeping kids safe
is important. The Consumer
Products Safety Commission recommends these safety tips for kids when they dress up for Halloween:

When purchasing
costumes, masks, beards, and wigs, look for the label “Flame
Resistant.” This label does not mean these items won’t catch fire, but it
does indicate the items will resist burning. The item should extinguish
quickly once removed from the ignition source.

Avoid costumes made
with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.

Use costumes that
are light and bright enough to be clearly visible to motorists.

Decorate or trim
costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car’s headlights.

Children should
carry flashlights.

Use cosmetics to
create a “mask” rather than have a child wear a loose-fitting mask
that might restrict breathing or obscure vision. If a real mask is used, make sure
it fits securely and has eyeholes large enough to allow full vision.

Young children
should always be accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible child.

Children should not
enter homes or apartments unless they are accompanied by an adult.

Keep your home
safe, too. When decorating your
home for trick-or-treaters, remove from the path of your young visitors
anything that could be an obstacle. Candlelit jack-o’-lanterns should be placed
away from steps and landings where costumes could brush against the flame or
knock over the decoration. Indoor jack-o’-lanterns should be placed away from
curtains, decorations, and other furnishings that could be ignited.

If you have
constructed an elaborate “haunt” on your property, you may want to
consider extra homeowner’s insurance for the nights that you will be allowing
visitors to your haunt. Nothing will spoil the holiday fun more than getting
sued because someone tripped and was injured on your property. Your insurance
company can provide you with extra insurance for the time needed, even if it’s
only for one evening. The price of one night’s insurance is insignificant
compared to what it could cost you without it!

Halloween is more
popular than ever, and with the right planning you and your family can have a
safe and memorable holiday.