(HealthDay News) -- It's that time of year -- when the stores are chock-full of skeletons, ghosts, zombies and other youthful disguises.

To help ensure a safe Halloween for children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers these guidelines to help parents choose the right costumes:

• Make sure costumes fit properly and don't drag on the ground, posing a tripping hazard.
• Stick a few strips of reflective tape on all costumes, so they're easier to see in the dark. This tape is available at many hardware, sporting goods and bicycle stores.
• Ask your child to carry a flashlight, and to use it while walking in the dark.
• Don't allow your child to wear costume shoes (or a parent's shoes).
• Look for accessories that are soft, flexible and don't pose a danger to others.
• Opt for face makeup and paint, rather than a mask, which can restrict vision.

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