Make reflective Halloween arm bands

Sometimes, though, we have to be firm. When it's a matter of safety, there's no room for negotiation.

This year as Halloween excitement builds, I've overheard my girls talking about trick or treating without mom or dad. They're seven and nine years old. No way!

Costume safety is another issue that has been a topic at our dinner table. I want the kids to wear their coat over their costume. They don't think much of this idea. Together we've planned out costumes that can be layered. A turtleneck, fleece sweater, and tights will go under the costume and gloves will keep their fingers warm.

They'll also be sporting reflective arm bands so that they can be seen by drivers. These arm bands are simple to make and can be made to measure so they fit just right.

What you need

Halloween reflective arm bands

Collecting your materials: You'll need a sewing tape measure (the flexible kind), as well as duct tape. The regular silver will do, but you can also buy black or orange to keep with the Halloween theme. Get some self-adhesive hook and loop tape (such as Velcro) and a quality reflective tape. I used 3M Scothlite reflective tape.

Step One: First, have your child put on the Halloween costume that will be worn trick or treating. Make sure he or she adds all of the layers. Now measure around the child's arms and ankles (if you're planning to make ankle bands). Jot down the measurements and add one or two inches for overlap.

Step Two: With a helper, pull double the amount of duct tape from the roll, keeping it on the roll. You need double the measurement plus a couple of inches for overlap. Have your helper hold the roll so the duct tape is taught. At the halfway mark, make a crease and very gradually fold the tape back on itself. Work a little at a time until both sides are smooth and not sticky. You might need to trim the edges if you've slipped a little. No problem. Cut the tape from the roll.

Step Three: Test to make sure the piece you've cut fits around your child's arm with a couple of inches for overlap. Cut a length of hook tape (about two inches long) and a length of loop tape slightly longer. Remove the paper backing from the self-adhesive hook tape and stick it, centered, near one end of the duct tape band. Flip the band over and attach the loop tape at the opposite end, again centered, so that when the band is wrapped around the child's arm the hook and loop tape will hold it in place.

Step Four: Lay the arm band flat on your work surface. Cut a length of reflective tape long enough to go from the end of the loop tape to nearly the end of the arm band. Remove the paper backing and stick the reflective tape to the arm band. Smooth it in place so it's good and stuck!

Step Five: For a Halloween theme, you can decorate the arm bands a little. Don't cover up the reflective tape too much, but you can use a permanent marker to draw on a spider web or to write on some Halloween words.

Have a safe, happy and spooky Halloween!

Here are some Halloween safety tips offered from The Government of Canada. Find these and more safety tips at www.safecanada.ca (search word Halloween).

Trick or treating safety tips

Costume safety tips