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Picking a Safe Halloween Costume

Picking a Safe Halloween Costume

As Halloween quickly approaches, it is time to begin thinking about what you or your little ones will wear for the big day. It’s exciting to get to wear a costume, but when you’re out shopping, make sure that you follow these costume guidelines so that you and your children can have a ‘sweet’ holiday:

Make sure that costumes fits correctly – When choosing a costume, make sure that you purchase the right size. As with clothing, costumes should be snug without being too tight. Make sure that there are no tripping hazards, like pants or dresses dragging on the ground.

Look for costumes that are flame resistant – Candles are a great way to set a spooky atmosphere, but they are a huge risk when wearing a costume. Ensure a costume-wearer is safe by checking to make sure that the outfit is flame-resistant.

Ensure proper visibility – If a costume requires a mask, make sure that the wearer can see properly. This may mean altering the mask so that the eye-holes are larger, or opting for makeup instead of a mask. Remember, though, to always do a patch test on costume makeup before Halloween night.

Wear sturdy and comfortable shoes – It doesn’t matter if you’re trick-or-treating or going to a party, everyone should wear the right shoes for Halloween. Little ones may fight you on this one, but they will be miserable after just a couple of minutes of walking in other shoes. If they insist, bring a pair of tennis shoes with socks as a backup.

Avoid dangerous accessories – If there is a sword, broom, or other accessory that goes with your child’s costume, make sure that it is pliable, and will not injure your child if they fall on it. It also helps to make sure that accessories are lightweight and east to carry.

Make sure drivers can see trick-or-treaters – A big part of Halloween safety is making sure that you and your children are visible to drivers while you’re out and about. Children with bright costumes should be easy to spot, but dark costumes may need a little work to make them visible. Have children with dark costumes carry a colorful treat sack, or strategically affix reflective tape to their costumes.

Don’t overlook Halloween weather – Remember, it’s usually pretty chilly in Boston on Halloween night. Historical temperatures show an average high of 56 and a low of 42. Make sure that you and your children don’t feel that chill by choosing warm costumes, or wearing long underwear. Go out earlier to avoid the nightly temperature drop.

When you have all of these tips in mind, picking out a safe costume will be easy. And make sure that you stay tuned to the Vargas and Vargas Insurance Blog throughout the month for more safety tips, including Trick-or-Treat safety tips for kids! For some added safety in your home, call Vargas and Vargas Insurance for an insurance review at 617-298-0655.

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The Ultimate Football Party Cheat Sheet

Football Party Cheat Sheet
Close up of American football, ice cold beer in bucket, and flag with rustic white wood underneath. Perfect for the Fourth of July holiday. Filled frame in horizontal format.

Can you believe that it’s football season already? It may seem like this year just began, but it’s already time to get out your pom-poms and root for your favorite team!

As you probably know, there’s nothing better than having some friends over and enjoying Football Sunday as a group. Before you have a party, though, make sure you read over these tips from the staff at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency:

Get Your Space Ready

Football can rile people up like nothing else, so make sure that your space is ready to accommodate potentially rowdy party guests. Check to ensure that there is enough seating for all of your guests, and tidy up the room. You may even want to move breakable objects into an ‘off-limits’ space, just to be sure that none of your valuables (or guests) will get hurt when there’s a touchdown or a bad call. Decide where you will serve your food and drinks, and cover the area with a tablecloth for easy clean up in case of a spill.

Arrange Fun Decorations

Make your gathering a bit more festive with a few themed decorations. This time of year, party stores have lots of football and sports-themed merchandise, or you could get creative and make your own. For a little added rivalry, decorate the room in the colors of the two teams that you will be watching! You can keep it low key or go all out with your décor, it’s up to you! Keep kids busy before (and during) the game by letting them help with the decorations – making posters is a great activity to keep little hands occupied.

Prepare the Food

Before you do any menu planning, make sure that you know if any of your guests have a food allergy. If possible, avoid using any allergens when preparing the food you will serve. If that’s not possible, then make it very clear to the person with an allergy what food(s) they need to avoid.

When you’re ready to plan out what you will serve, focus your attention on small foods that are easy to eat. Chef in Training suggests several different chip and dip alternatives, as well as other pop-able snacks and sweet treats.

Put Safety First

Any time that you invite people over to your home, it is your responsibility as the host of the gathering to put safety first. This means taking every precaution to ensure that your guests aren’t harmed. We have already mentioned two ways to do this: clearing potentially dangerous objects from guest areas and being aware of guest food allergies. You should also be wary if you will be serving alcohol during the game – never let a guest get behind the wheel if they’ve had too much to drink.

If you do find yourself in a pickle after a party, don’t hesitate to call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency. As your Massachusetts renters or homeowners insurance provider, we can help you file a liability claim that will financially protect you from the medical and/or legal fees that may arise as a result of an incident. Hopefully, though, you can follow these tips and have a fantastic football party for your friends and family.

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