Halloween will be HOT

TAMPA - Halloween is going to be a hot one. Temperatures throughout the Bay Area will hover around 90 degrees. That means it will be warm under those costumes, and there are precautions revelers should take.

A junior ROTC fall festival parade in Bartow ended chaotically Thursday, when 11 students became overcome by the heat. "She was on one of the floats and she got overheated and was getting sick and my sister had to bring her up here," said Anthony Conner, whose niece became ill.

The students are fine, but one stayed at the hospital overnight for observation.

At Features costume shop in Tampa, it's clear Halloween is fast-approaching. Maria and Aaron Remaley planned to dress up as the Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood. Perhaps it's a good thing they couldn't find the wolf costume, considering it will be a hot holiday.

"He's doing the Zoot Gangster is what we're doing, right?" said Maria Remaley.

When the family trick or treats, Aaron Remaley and his three children will all wear Zoot suits of pants and long sleeves, but at least the outfits will be lightweight.

"If they're in a very cumbersome outfit, maybe something that's fur-like or something that's plastic, then there's no way that they're going to be able to perspire," said FOX 13 Medical Reporter Dr. Joette Giovinco. "That perspiration has to then evaporate to cool them off."

Dr Jo. says it's best this Halloween to avoid heavy costumes and hot masks. Instead, choose breathable fabrics like nylon that allow sweat to come off the body.

The Price children are going as a '50s girl and a ninja. Their mom says staying cool is a priority.

"We'll be hydrated with water and make sure we stop and take breaks," said Amy Price. "Probably wind up taking parts of the costume off before the end of the evening."

Dr Jo says parents need to ask their children how they feel. Kids can overheat quickly and you may not even realize it's happening.

"These kids are going to be running around. They're going to be going from house to house. They're going to be excited about that candy, so they may not even comprehend that they're not feeling well," said Dr Jo.

Adults are advised to take the same precautions. The Halloween heat is the reason why Joe Bayen chose a gladiator costume. "There's not much to it, especially at the bottom, which is perfect," Bayen told FOX 13.

He says if he gets hot, he'll remove the fake muscles, which he claims he doesn't need anyway. Dr. Jo says he has the right idea. She says if you or your children are wearing a mask, take it on and off throughout the night. Same goes for other parts of costumes that might be restrictive.

Trick or treating indoors is also an option. The Citrus Park Mall is inviting families in to trick or treat on Halloween from 4 to 6 p.m.

Check the Halloween forecast from SkyTower OMNI here!