You don't have to see a horror movie to be scared during the Halloween season. Even if you dress up in a frightening costume, everyone wants Halloween to be a fun and safe experience. A little fear can be entertaining, but it's best not to take any chances when it comes to your and your family's health. Without realizing it, preparing for trick-or-treating or the Halloween party might make your home's air quality dangerous.
 
Costumes 
 
Finding the right costume is a must. Whether you wish to dress up as a scary monster or a character from your favorite tv show, most of these costumes are mass-produced and stored in plastic bags until you take them home. When items are stored in plastic bags, the off-gassing process cannot begin until you take the costume out of the plastic bag. The Healthy Stuff Organization conducted a study and found that many costumes and accessories can contain harmful pollutants. These pollutants include flame retardants and phthalates, which can ultimately lead to asthma, reproductive problems, development and learning disabilities, and cancer. If you plan on using clothing or costume accessories, you should wash them and air them out in the garage before putting them on and bringing those pollutants into your home. 

• Try to avoid vinyl products and select PVC-free or natural materials for costumes and decorations. 
• Make sure to air everything out before wearing it.
• Because costumes and masks are seasonal items, they are stored for extended periods, and they can collect dust mites and mold spores, so it's best to wash them with antifungal laundry detergent.

 
Makeup & hair sprays
 
Makeup and hair complete your costume. When finding the perfect costume, you might also grab inexpensive makeup and fun hairspray colors at the Halloween store. However, the health risks that can accompany these low costs products can come at a bigger expense. A study from the Safe Cosmetics found trace amounts of heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic in 21 out of 48 face paints tested. While these VOCs are not good to bring into the house, they are also not good to be putting on your face and into the air. The VOCs can cause short and long-term health problems. 
 
• It is recommended that you use organic, plant-based cosmetics that contain natural pigments.

• Wash your makeup off as soon as the party is over.
• Try to apply your makeup and hair sprays in a well-ventilated environment.

Neighborhood air quality 
 
It's now time for the kids to get some candy. However, before venturing out into the neighborhood, make sure you verify the outdoor air quality. You may check the air quality in your location by going to www.airnow.gov. If the outside air quality is poor, this may indicate that you should change your trick-or-treating plans.
 
While some of the following facts may have shocked you, it does not have to detract from your enjoyment of the Halloween season. With a bit of forethought and imagination, you can have a lot of fun while remaining safe. Remember, better quality air means better quality of life!