(PRWEB) October 18, 2007 -- Angie's List (http://www.angieslist.com/) (www.angieslist.com), a consumer organization that helps homeowners nationwide find reliable help in more than 280 categories of service, conducted a poll of its members and found that 45 percent said they plan to buy their kids' costumes at a store, 18 percent said they will create their Halloween garb from scratch.
Among adults, 28 percent said they plan to dress up for either a Halloween party or to take their kids trick or treating. Of those, 31 percent said they'd make their dress up costume from scratch, while only 4 percent said they plan to rent.
"Halloween can be great fun, no matter what your age," said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie's List (http://www.angieslist.com/). "It's a favorite among kids and it brings out the kid in many adults. In fact, a nationwide poll on our Web site found respondents will spend on average $30 for costume creation."
No matter how you're creating your costume (http://www.angieslist.com/), Hicks emphasizes that safety should be the main priority, especially for kids. With this in mind, Angie's List offers the following tips to keep your little ghosts and goblins safe this Halloween:
Angie's 11 safety tips for Halloween costumes:
1. Only fire-retardant materials should be used for Halloween attire. Avoid loose hanging parts such as sashes, shredded parts or overly long sleeves, which can easily catch fire from a jack-o-lantern or candle or get caught on something.
2. Check the warning labels on all items used for dress up. If they contain lead, choose another costume. Lead poisoning can cause irreversible brain damage to young children.
3. Costumes should be loose, so warm clothes can be worn underneath without restricting arm or leg movement.
4. Costumes that are too long and oversized shoes are tripping hazards. Avoid both.
5. Test any new makeup products in a small area of the inside of the arm to prevent reactions from latex or other adhesive allergies.
6. Consider hair-coloring products as an alternative to wigs. Check the product for information on washing and any concerns for dyed or chemically treated hair.
7. Outfits should be made with light-colored materials. Strips of reflective tape should be used to make children more visible.
8. Attach your child's name, address and telephone number (including their area code) to his or her clothes in case your child gets lost or separated from you.
9. If masks are worn, be sure holes for the eyes, nose and mouth are large enough for comfort and not restrictive.
10. Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.
11.Bags or sacks carried by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective tape if trick-or-treaters are allowed out after dark.
Angie's Halloween tips for homeowners:
? Clear the yard. Look out for things such as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip trick-or-treaters. Also check for low tree limbs, support wires and hard-to-see fences between yards.
? Be careful with candles. Opt for a plug-in or battery-powered jack-o-lantern instead of using a live candle. If you insist on a live flame, be sure it is away from any possible exposure to trick-or-treaters' costumes, or where they will be walking or standing.
? Secure your pets. Be sure your pets are put away or arrange for them to stay somewhere else. Some pets become frightened; others may become territorial or even aggressive towards trick-or-treaters.
? Light the path. Check that the path and stairs to your front door are well illuminated and clear of obstacles. While it's tempting to create a dark and spooky home theme, poor lighting can be a major safety hazard.
? And, speaking of treats -- Consider some healthier options like low-fat crackers, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls or raisins; or non-food treats such as (unsharpened) pencils, stickers or coins.
*2,195 Angie's List members took our poll. Responses are representative of Web site members, but not the general public.
Angie's List is where thousands of consumers share their ratings and reviews on local contractors and companies in more than 280 different categories. Currently, more than 600,000 consumers across the U.S. rely on the Web site to help them find the right costume, contractor or company for the job they need done. Members have unlimited access to the list via Internet or phone; receive the Angie's List magazine, which includes articles on home improvement and maintenance, consumer trends and scam alerts; and they can utilize the complaint resolution service. Get more information at http://www.angieslist.com Get more consumer tips at http://www.angieslisttips.com/
###
Do People Buy Halloween Gifts?
Halloween is one of the most debated holidays on the calendar. Some don't celebrate it and to some it is among their favorite Holidays. Halloween comes from All Hallows Eve which is the night before All Hallows Day or All Saints Day. This holiday is one that revolves around fun and playfulness but also has a bit of a dark and mysterious side. Most dress up for Halloween and participate in the many activities typically held during the evening such as trick or treating, costume parties, and haunted houses. These activities are mostly geared towards fun and playfulness but some stay far away from these games.
A Close Look at Halloween Masks
If you have already started to plan this year's Halloween costume, you might have taken some time to look in a costume store or two or check out the selections online. A major part of the costume industry includes Halloween masks. A popular part of Halloween celebrations, Halloween masks are not the answer to everyone's costume needs. Here is a look at the good and bad of this Halloween accessory.
Its Halloween! Spooks, Specters and Spyware!
Costume Kingdom uses Web 2.0 to push Halloween Costumes sales in 2007.
The spirits of the season have been smiling on Tamir Nadborny, president of Costume Kingdom, America's foremost Halloween costumes provider---not only for Halloween, but for all seasons, wants and needs. "Technology is our middle name" says Nadborny who uses web 2.0 and every other high tech tool available. We must remain high tech as we have over 5,000 Halloween costumes illustrated on our site. More importantly, we have the inventory so we ship everything the same day.
Auto Insurance Agency, Insurance.com, Helps Keep Children Safe This Halloween with Halloween Safety Tips
Insurance.com, the nation?s largest online auto insurance agency, is helping children and parents keep safe with a selection of useful Halloween Safety Tips.
Where Adults Can Find Appropriate, Cool Halloween Costumes
Maybe you're an adult taking your kids out for a fun Halloween excursion or you're just very under-spoken in the outfit department, but when Halloween rolls around, the last thing you want to do is 'sex it up', so to speak You are very understated in that department, don't care for it, or you're going to accompany your children on their trick-or-treat night
Halloween v. Dia de los Muertos: Stories from The Texas Observer
Although Christine Granados grew up in El Paso, she always thought Halloween was about candy and costumes. After getting the lowdown on the graveyard parties at Dia de los Muertos in a bar, she wonders if her Catholic friends get the better deal. New in the most recent edition of The Texas Observer
Scary halloween Masks
There are countless Halloween masks available today. At Halloween specialty stores and online shops, you will find a mask in the likeness of every ghoul, alien, and creepy character of any and every variety.
On the Weariness of Halloween
Staying in for Halloween but don't want to waste it away? Well, if there aren't any parties to go to, trick-or-treaters to treat (or scare), or if you just plain don't want to get up off that couch, then you may as well make it into a Halloween-themed evening. No trouble there. Just rent the right movies and invite the right people. Costumes optional. For those still dissuaded to participate in this supernatural time of the year (or for those who don't believe in the supernatural), read onward for several suggestions and insight.
Dream Foods International Introduces Italian Volcano® Juices Halloween Recipes
Dream Foods International, LLC (www.dreamfoods.com), a specialized importer of not-from-concentrate citrus varietal juices, proudly announces its exclusive Italian Volcano® Halloween recipes. "With our signature blood orange juice we have a great ingredient to play with to create themed 'bloody' cocktails for Halloween. These signature cocktails are an excellent way for hosts and partygoers to fully enjoy Halloween. The delicious taste and freshness of ingredients make these drinks a success for this time of year," said Adriana Kahane, CEO and Founder of Dream Foods International, LLC. "These cocktails are part of an expansive list of recipes on our we...
Choosing an Attractive Halloween Disguise
Naughty Pirates
How to Buy Halloween Contact Lenses Online
Ever wanted to spice up your look for Halloween, or to do something unique for parties? Have you ever considered contact lenses to alter the way other people perceive your eyes, or to add to a great costume? With cheap halloween contact lenses becoming more common than ever, this year is a great opportunity to do just that.
The Halloween Spirit
Halloween is a great party occasion, a truly unique chance for everyone to unload some stress and go back to a time when everything was much more simple, and dressing up in costumes made everything funny and great. This is one day you will want to celebrate, if not for the fun of it ? simply for the relaxation and happiness it brings.
PeopleFinders.com to be a Sponsor at Safetyville USA 17th Annual Halloween Haunt
PeopleFinders.com, the leading and most trusted provider of public records and people search data on the Internet, now offers free sex offender tracking via e-mail and will be a sponsor at Safetyville USA's 17th Annual Halloween Haunt.
Mom Entrepreneurs Create Popular Discovery Kids' TV Show -- New Fright-Free Episode of 'Wilbur' Airs for Halloween
Ten years ago, three moms from San Diego were inspired to create a TV show about an adorable calf named Wilbur. Now "Wilbur" airs on Discovery Kids and TLC during the award-winning, commercial free Ready, Set, Learn! block of preschool programming. Wilbur gets kids excited about reading and books, and uses books to solve problems. A special all-new, fright-free Halloween episode airs Oct. 29 on Discovery Kids and Oct. 31 on TLC.