Trick-or-treaters gobble up costumes

COLUMBUS -- Superheroes and television stars appear to be among the costumes of choice for trick or treaters this Halloween.

Curtis Pelster, assistant manager at Wal-Mart, rattled off a list of get-ups that have been the most popular among customers: Star Wars, Batman and Hannah Montana.

Expect to see plenty of children dressed up like the Dark Knight and the Disney star when you open your door to dish out candy Oct. 31.

Shoppers have been steadily buying costumes, but Pelster said business will start to pick up even more as Halloween approaches.

For the best selection, he said customers should go to stores now before its too late.

“We’ve got the most selection that we are going to have right now. The closer we get (to Halloween), the less we’ll have,” he said.

Father and daughter, Nick and Geena Groene, were perusing the various costumes at Wal-Mart Saturday. Dad held up an outfit, but Geena wasn’t interested. The girl said she already had hers picked out anyway. She is going to be a gypsy princess this year.

Thrift stores also have had several customers looking for either full costumes, or just accessories to put on the finishing touches.

Peggy Miller, at Goodwill, said most people shopping now are parents and their children. But the days leading up to Halloween is usually the most busy, especially for the older crowd.

“You always have your last-minute ones, but they are usually adults,” Miller said.

Miller said she hasn’t seen one costume or another be the most searched for at Goodwill, but the store has sold a fair number of cowboys hats this year.

Whatever it is shoppers are searching for, she said thrift stores are a good place to stop.

“They usually don’t leave here empty handed,” Miller said.

Before letting your little goblin or ghoul head out for trick or treating in their new costume, some safety precautions should be taken first.

The Food and Drug Administration suggests the following:

n Make sure the costumes, wigs and other accessories are flame resistant before purchasing.

n Costumes should be light and bright enough to be visible to motorists. Put reflective tape on costumes or bags and sacks. Have you child carry a flashlight.

n Make sure costumes are short enough to prevent children from tripping and falling.

n All accessories, like knives and swords, should be made of soft and flexible material.

n If wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough to allow full vision.