This Halloween 2018, BullHorn Media brings you a very special blog. To us, having a blog means more than writing about our products and services. It’s also a place to show you our character and our concerns.
A BullHorn Blog of Tips and Treats
Make Your Halloween Safe as Well as Fun!
We want our Florida families and communities to have a safe, healthy Halloween holiday. Thus, Bullhorn Media takes a break from our usual techno-topics.
We bring you some tips, treats, and tricks for a Happy, Healthy and Safe Halloween for you, your family and community. So part of this blog will be dedicated to your safety.
Halloween 2018 brings out the child in all of us. On the one hand, you might really be a kid. Maybe you are a middle-school aged young man or young lady. You are definitely planning a big night of trick-or-treating with your friends.
On the other Halloween Hand, you might be the dressed-up middle-aged lady. You are planning on chaperoning kids at a Halloween party.
Likewise, you might just be the coolest grandmother on the block. You are trying to decide whether to answer the door as an alien or a whitch. Whatever your age, you might be the one with the camera. So we begin with some photo-tips to make some memories from Halloween 2018.
Making Photo Memories of the Halloween 2018 Scene
The Bullhorn Halloween Dress Rehearsal for Halloween Outfits is our favorite Big Idea. You can’t beat it for making memories and having a little fun.
In the right scene, a character comes alive for Halloween 2018.
It allows you to take some time just with the costumed characters of your kids–fun dress up. Below is a step by step way to help make this work for your kids or friends in just a few steps:
The results will be a great documentation of family relationships, but just have fun.
1. Announce Dress Rehearsal With Camera and Coaching:
Have everyone dress up. Then mom and dad are the directors of “movie moments.” Coach the kids into their character. They will have so much fun.
2. Choose a cool-looking place for the “rehearsal“ photo-session. Posing in front of porches doesn’t always work. We’ve seen fake wings turn to gossamer in a park setting, near some trees. And robots looked really good at a local junkyard. Just always ask permission about taking photos if the setting is private. And do this shooting during the light of day, mid-afternoon. Later or on the Trick-or-Treat Night, play with the darkness. But rehearse in daylight for detail.
3. Don’t forget the props. Get the shots of the pumpkins, the decorations. And don’t forget the family pet. Dogs might even wear a hat—(with your cat, that’s less likely). But the pets with the costumed kids will help you make memories.
4. Vary the Vampire Shots: Get close-ups (with expressions,) as well as distant shots, whether your kids re vampires, zombies or princesses.
5. And remember levels! Shoot some shots while kneeling down. You will be eye-to-eye, on the same level as the child. Shoot some shots standing for a completely different look. Shoot while you are laying on the ground or standing high above the child for a variety of “looks.”
Be A Fly on the Wall
6. At Trick or Treat or Costumed Party Events: Be a fly on the wall, like a good photo-journalist. Stand back while they go to the doors.
Simple Documentation: Family goes out to Trick or Treat. Neighbor makes this shot a memory.
Then click away. You’ll be glad you did. Natural shots, as well as posed portraits, will help you tell the story of Halloween 2018.
7. Check out an excellent online photography site, linked below, if you are interested in capturing someone who looks like a ghost or in shooting a person who looks like they are levitating. If you can shoot manually, even a little bit, you’ll love these tricks. You will be inspired, and these are not difficult illusions to create.
Whatever Your Age, Watch Out for Halloween 2018 Skin Hazards!
Whether you are young or old, goblin or ghoul, vampire or witch, poor Halloween 2018 choices can haunt you long after Halloween. You can purchase a multitude of Halloween 2018 products. Some of these could be hazardous to your health.
1. Decorative contact lenses,
2. flammable costumes,
3. and FDA-unapproved cosmetics.
A Bullhorn full of Hazards in Halloween 2018: Beware
In the spirit of Halloween 2018 safety, we agree with the FDA, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. From these resources, we have found some simple rules to keep your skin—and all the rest of your body– safe in spite of your Halloween 2018 festivities.
1. Wear costumes only if they are constructed of fire-retardant materials. The outfit or the material to make it should have “flame resistant” on the label.
2. Don’t Take a “Trip” this Halloween–Falls ruin Fun
We would not feel right if we gave you hints to protect your skin, but an on-rushing auto broke your bones. If you will be walking around in the dark, for Halloween 2018, we advise you and your kids to wear bright, reflective costumes.
Otherwise, you can at least add strips of reflective tape so you’ll be more visible.
3. Bones don’t Just Come With Fake Skeletons!
Speaking of broken bones, let’s avoid broken ankles if we are walking around the neighborhood. And we also have a hint, right form the Red Carpet: Avoid dangerous falls by being positive hems aren’t so long that you’re in danger of tripping.
Masks May Be More Hazardous Than Helpful
Witch and Goblin Makeup Can be Great Fun. But, Be Sure Your Makeup is Safe.
4. Don’t Mask it–Make it Up!
We like to say you should avoid masks in 2018. Try to convey your character with make-up because masks obscure your vision and overheat you quickly. We have seen some that seem comfortable with a clear range of vision, but this is not usually the case. (We are pretty sure the Early-for-Halloween Werewolf driving on Orange Ave. this morning could not see.)
5. Test that Makeup!
Speaking of makeup, we suggest you test the makeup you plan to use, especially if it is not your normal stuff. We have already heard reports of contaminated products in the Halloween 2018 market. If it smells bad, it could be contaminated. Simply put a small amount on the arm of the person who will be wearing it, a couple of days in advance. Likewise, check the newly popularized temporary hair coloring solutions.
If a rash, redness, swelling, or other signs of irritation develop where the cosmetics or hair coloring was applied, that’s a sign of a possible allergy. Remove it immediately. They also can cause irritation. Find more make-up warnings and tips at this site.
6. Watch Out for Color Additives!
Did you know you could check the FDA’s list of color additives for face paints and cosmetics?
Especially for small children, we hope you will see if makeup additives you plan to use, are FDA approved. If they aren’t approved for their intended use, please do not apply it. Again, remember if the make- up item smells bad, it could be contaminated. Please don’t use it.
Cat Eyes” Might Not Be the “Cat’s Meow”
Halloween 2018: Careful, Unapproved Costume Contact Lenses Can be Dangerous.
7. Avoid Wearing those Contact Lens “Cat Eyes.”
This caution is voiced by eye care professionals—including:
- the American Academy of Ophthalmology,
- the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology
- and Strabismus, the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists and
- the American Optometric Association.
Avoid Non-Approved Contact Lens
All of us are continuing to discourage you, once again, from using illegal decorative (colored) contact lenses. These are contact lenses that have not been approved by FDA for safety and effectiveness. Consumers should only use brand name contact lenses from well-known contact lens companies.
Put simply, do not ever, ever, wear decorative contact lenses unless you have seen an eye care professional and gotten a proper lens fitting and instructions for using the lenses.
“Although unauthorized use of decorative contact lenses is a concern year-round.” However, “Halloween is the time when people may be inclined to use them, perhaps as costume accessories,” says FDA eye expert Bernard Lepri, O.D., M.S., M.Ed…
He added, “What troubles us is when they are bought and used without a valid prescription, without the involvement of a qualified eye care professional, or without appropriate follow-up care. This can lead to significant risks of eye injuries, including blindness.”
For more information, check out the article on FDA’s Consumer Updates page, which features all the newest tips on all FDA-regulated products.
Halloween 2018 Safe Treats
Trick Or Treating Can Be Great Fun. Be Sure Your Child Knows the Safe Rules.
We know you will be eating some sweets and candies on Halloween. However, if your children are trick-or-treating, health and safety experts say you should remember these tips:
7. Don’t eat candy until it has been inspected at home in bright lights.
8. If your child has a food allergy, check the label to ensure the allergen isn’t present. Tell children not to accept—or eat—anything that isn’t commercially wrapped.
A Few Comments for the Parents of the Very Young
Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers.
· We know you will throw away anything that looks suspicious.
· Remember to look for the warning label to unwanted juice products. A “juice” box is not always healthy.
A Bullhorn full of Safety Tips for Trick or Treaters:
10 Trick or Treat Safety Tips
1. Know your time Zone!
You don’t have to wait until it is pitch-black outside to go trick-or-treating. Right after an early dinner and just before dusk when you can keep better track of your children and you are able to see the others that you encounter on the street.
2. Be Visible
Make sure children can be seen in the dark. Utilize flashlights, glow-sticks and wear glow necklaces, even if you are Zombies.
Next Few Tips are Crucial To Your Safety
3. Never Go Alone
You should also discreetly add some emergency identification information such as the child’s name, address & phone number to their costume or
Trick or Treating: Never Eat the Candy Until You are Home and the Candy is Checked.
on a bracelet in case your child happens to get separated from the group.
4. Pedestrians, Beware!
Be sure that your children understand simple traffic rules, such as stopping and looking both ways before crossing the street, and staying in a crosswalk if one is available. If you have to cross at a light, make sure you have the proper “walk” signal before you proceed.
Inform your children that they should never assume that they have the right away when crossing the street, especially at night on Halloween.
5. Knock On Doors That You Know
Encourage your children to only trick-or-treat at homes where they know the inhabitants. If they know everyone on the street, except for one house, they could ask the neighbors about that one house. If a home is dark or has no Halloween decorations, that is typically a good sign that they are not up for trick-or-treaters.
Be Careful and Foil the Tricksters
6. Don’t Go Inside
Trick-or-treaters always seem to run across a house or two where someone invites them to “come in”. Remind your little ones that they should never go inside anybody’s home while trick-or-treating. (If a homeowner insists, run, don’t walk, away!)
7. Avoid the Shortcuts
Do not take shortcuts through alleys or cut through yards. Stay on streets and in neighborhoods that are well lit and where there are plenty of people around.
8. Set Limits!
If your children are old enough to trick or treat in a group without you, be sure and designate a time for their return. Please teach your children that if a stranger offers to give them a ride or take them to a Halloween Party, they should say “no”.
Stranger danger is important to remember, and even teenagers can get in the wrong car.
9. Taste-Testing Patience
Pack some Goodies for the trip! Make sure your little goblins know that trick or treating is for gathering candy, not eating it as they receive it. Just simply, give kids a treat bag with some of your own Halloween candy. That way, they have no excuse to cheat on the Candy Check-in.
For Halloween 2018 Adults Only:
Halloween is not only about the little kiddos. There are grand masquerade balls and cozy cocktail parties.
Here’s a hint that will save your skin from dehydration and your tummy from irritation. If you are going to a cocktail Halloween party: You should eat a light meal or a big snack before heading out.
This hearty meal will help you avoid over-drinking alcoholic beverages and nibbling too much sugar. No one wants too many after-party regrets.
Once again, we wish you a Happy, Healthy, and Safe Halloween 2018 from our family to yours, at Bullhorn Media.